[floppy]

Singapore, August 26, 2008 – An online fund-raising campaign has been started to enable Singapore's top cyber-athletes compete in the upcoming Grand Finals of the World Cyber Games (WCG) '08 in Cologne, Germany. This fundraising campaign is crucial after gamers were stranded without sponsorship even though they qualified at the National Finals to represent Singapore. Three of these Singaporean champions are even medal hopefuls in Cologne.

World Cyber Games (WCG) is the world's largest and most recognized gaming festival. This year, more than 800 of the world's best cyber-athletes from over 70 countries will be arriving in Cologne, Germany to compete. Unless our six national cyber-athletes manage to raise S$5,000 each by September, they will not be able to represent Singapore in Cologne even though they won that opportunity by qualifying at the Singapore National finals. Unlike other countries like China and South Korea, Singapore has yet to recognize cyber-gaming as a national sport. Therefore these cyber-athletes find a lack of structured support even though some of them have performed consistently well on the international stage. In a last ditch attempt to participate and win in what has been hailed by some as the equivalent of the cyber Olympics, our national cyber-athletes have decided to personally raise the $30,000 needed to cover airfares, accommodation and tournament entrance fees. Inspired by their maturity and determination, (Singapore) Cybersports and Online Gaming Association (SCOGA) has decided to help these cyber-athletes because one of the cornerstone of our mission is to “achieve international success and recognition for Singapore in competitive gaming”. Some of our cyber-athletes actually stand a good chance of winning medals and bringing home the glory. Team members have previously won numerous pan-Asian and international titles including

·2005 World Cyber Games International Grand Finals Dead or Alive 1st Runner Up
·2006 World Cyber Games Asian Championship Dead or Alive Champion
·2007 World Cyber Games Asian Championship Dead or Alive 1st Runner Up
·2007 Championship Gaming Series Pan-Asian Championship Team Champion
·2007 Championship Gaming Series World Finals FIFA Individual 2nd Runner-Up
·2007 Championship Gaming Series World Finals Dead or Alive Individual Champion
The players who have won WCG 08 Singapore and being supported in this fundraising are Mohamed Phirkhan s/o Mohamed Yusuf Khan (FIFA 08), Mohamed Fadhil Bin Mohamed Anwar (Need for Speed), Dennis Ooi (Command & Conquer 3), Lim Wei Yang (Warcraft III), Danny Koo Kwok En (Virtua Fighter 5) and Wilson Chia (Virtua Fighter 5).

Of these 6 players, SCOGA have strong reasons to believe that Wilson, Phirkhan and Danny have good medal chances in Cologne. However, SCOGA will be fundraising for all 6 with a goal of S$30,000/- through our online website http://www.scoga.org/SGchamps.

Donations can be made through Paypal, cheque, and by 28th of August, through eNETS which supports Mastercard and VISA. We have to reach our targets by early September 08. Sponsorships are also welcome.

At the time of writing, close to S$5,000/- have been raised through the gaming community and friends.

On behalf of our Singapore cyber-champions, we plead for your support to donate and help us spread the word. Your support is crucial in sending these Singaporeans to cyber Olympics and win a medal for Singapore.

We do not have much time and every effort counts.

[Tariful]

1st prize used to be 5k now its 1k ;[

[IZECUBEZ]

Originally Posted by Tariful

1st prize used to be 5k now its 1k ;[

And not all games get 1k for first prize too.. like mine in nfs: prostreet

[ayu1978]

Sorry but i think the money can be better spent elsewhere more meaningfully than giving it to some one to "par game" and champion.

I am a long time gamer and i don't agree with their fundraising efforts. Unless they pledge to donate their some of their winnings to charity,then i support. What you take,you give back!

[Tariful]

this players have been playing competitively for years give them a chance , ever since WCG disallowed PR's to participate , i never got a chance to compete :[

[siandiao]

quite funny when MDA and IDA supports gaming as per se but does not endorse cybergaming as a cybersports.

[ayu1978]

Originally Posted by siandiao

quite funny when MDA and IDA supports gaming as per se but does not endorse cybergaming as a cybersports.

It is not funny if you think of it in realistic terms.

Cyber gaming other than the usual suspects like hardware or gaming companies,who will sponser? (Which directly benefit them)
Do you see all the major corporate sponsers other than the above in Singapore?

When the day pro gaming is telecast on television or lower the standard lar Channel News Asia on mobile TV on the bus in your sleepy morning ride is the day that they will take it seriously. Otherwise it is just government paying lip service to their "we are an IT metropolis" bullshit. Because why commit their resources when pro gaming has so little exposure or recognition in Singapore?

[currylicious]

support!

and hey at least we are supporting local talents rather than some FT shits...

[FJ (x3m)]

Originally Posted by ayu1978

Sorry but i think the money can be better spent elsewhere more meaningfully than giving it to some one to "par game" and champion.

I am a long time gamer and i don't agree with their fundraising efforts. Unless they pledge to donate their some of their winnings to charity,then i support. What you take,you give back!

yes, I believe a deal will be worked out with the gamers on this. Good point.

[floppy]

Originally Posted by FJ

yes, I believe a deal will be worked out with the gamers on this. Good point.

was just about to raise this up via mail. i'll let u do the job heh

[skweam]

i feel for these gamers as i believe they deserve as much opportunity as those athletes who went to the olympics to fight for Singapore.

[-MatsumotO]

ahh, one of them just graduated from my school.

[Demonlism]

Originally Posted by ayu1978

When the day pro gaming is telecast on television or lower the standard lar Channel News Asia on mobile TV on the bus in your sleepy morning ride is the day that they will take it seriously. Otherwise it is just government paying lip service to their "we are an IT metropolis" bullshit. Because why commit their resources when pro gaming has so little exposure or recognition in Singapore?

i guess this is the first step to whatever u said above.

[floppy]

up

[HuaHero]

Originally Posted by ayu1978

Sorry but i think the money can be better spent elsewhere more meaningfully than giving it to some one to "par game" and champion.

I am a long time gamer and i don't agree with their fundraising efforts. Unless they pledge to donate their some of their winnings to charity,then i support. What you take,you give back!

So u rather singapore to bring in players from other countries to win medals for us? IE Table Tennis.

As a long time gamer i persume that u only game casually.
The hardwork and time taken to be what they are today to do Singapore proud is not done overnight. Neither does your opinions do justice to our country's cyber sports people.

Scoga will of course be very transparent about the funds, the public dun have to worry about that.