Kick-off for first UAE Esports Tolerance Games

The inaugural UAE Esports Tolerance Games get underway on Friday, November 13.

The two-day championship includes Electronic chess and PES (pro Evolution Soccer) matches.

It's part of the UAE's Festival of Tolerance, which culminates in the UN International Tolerance Day on November 16.

The Games mark the first official government-supported esports initiative in the UAE, providing an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of the participants and encourage debate about tolerance and coexistence.

His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan Mabarak Al Nahyan, UAE Cabinet Member and Minister for Tolerance and Coexistence, inaugurated the event earlier this week and told Dubai Eye 103.8's Business Breakfast that increasing online interaction makes it critical to engage young people:

The tournament will also feature Defence of the Ancients (DOTA) 2 and Hearthstone. 

Players will be able to compete in the qualifiers and the finals will be held and broadcast on the second day.

It will feature a Swiss format to ensure that all competitors can enjoy at least one full day of taking part.

Sheikh Nahyan said the Games aim to teach young people how to be team players, and to accept victory and defeat with equal grace:

During the Forum on Tolerance in Electronic Sports, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak praises the efforts of the International Federation of E-Sports to promote the values of tolerance among millions of youth around the world.#nationalfestivaloftolerance #UAETolerance #Zayedslegacy pic.twitter.com/9DOgk5REFF

— Minister of Tolerance Office (@uaetolerance) November 10, 2020