The sixth edition of Gamer.LK’s Inter-School Esports Championship (ISEC) ’22 powered by SLT-Mobitel came to a thrilling conclusion with the crowning of the overall champions. 

The event, which saw the participation of over 90 schools across Sri Lanka, was held online and featured 10 popular games. A physical awards ceremony to felicitate the winners was held recently at the SLT-Mobitel auditorium in Colombo. 

The championship is set to return for its seventh edition later in 2023.

The closely contested championship series with 10 game titles saw new entrants become champions for some of the more popular game titles. Bandaranayake College, Gampaha received their first Gold as the winners in Call of Duty 4, showcasing their impeccable skill and teamwork in the tournament. 

Meanwhile, Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala became Gold medalists in the highly-contested PUBG MOBILE title and St. Joseph’s College, Colombo won Gold for the popular Free Fire title. In Valorant, it was Lyceum International School, Wattala that earned the Gold medal. 

With an inspiring showcase of talent, Gateway College, Colombo proved to be the ultimate victor once again, securing the overall championship by claiming three Gold medals, two Silver medals, and one Bronze medal. Ananda College came in second with Colombo South International College (CSIC) coming in third. This is the sixth consecutive championship win for Gateway, which has managed to dominate school-level esports since 2016.

“I believe it is essential to recognise the potential of Esports beyond its recreational nature. While many may struggle to grasp its connection to educational goals, we at Gateway understand the broader impact of Esports on education,” said Gateway College Chairman Dr. Harsha Alles. 

“We acknowledge the remarkable growth of competitive gaming, which has surpassed the billion-dollar mark and transformed the traditional sports industry. Esports has not only changed how people consume and engage with sports but has also opened up new revenue streams, sponsorship opportunities, and a whole new ecosystem of employment prospects.”

“To fully embrace Esports and harness its potential, we must look beyond the games themselves. At Gateway, we recognise the value of Esports as we prepare our students for the opportunities in this ever-evolving digital landscape,” added Alles.

Esports has been recognised as a key focus sport by the Ministry of Sports, highlighting the importance of exposing young people to esports in schools. Its competitions at a school level can provide numerous benefits to students, such as improving their hand-eye coordination, critical thinking, problem-solving, and team communication skills.

“The Inter-School Esports Championship has been a significant part of the esports ecosystem in Sri Lanka since 2016. It is gratifying to witness young students participating in this championship and we are proud to be playing a role in promoting the benefits of well-organised and monitored school level esports. 

“It is heartening to see more schools recognising the potential of esports and taking part in this event to provide their students with a competitive edge in this emerging field,” said Gamer.LK and InGame Esports CEO and Sri Lanka Esports Association President Raveen Wijayatilake.

This year’s championship was powered by SLT-Mobitel, the national ICT solutions provider which came onboard as the title partner. SLT-Mobitel has been at the forefront of empowering digital entertainment and esports in Sri Lanka with product offerings catering to gamers in the country.  

“We are proud to have powered Gamer.LK’s Inter-School Esports Championship 2022. Congratulations to Gateway College, Colombo, who have showcased their prowess by winning for the sixth time. Our support towards the competition highlights SLT-Mobitel’s commitment in fostering the growth of esports in Sri Lanka. SLT-Mobitel, as a leading telecommunications provider, is firmly dedicated in empowering the youth to grow their passion for gaming and esports. 

“In endorsing the championship, we aimed to provide a platform for talented student gamers to showcase their skills and pursue their dreams in the competitive gaming arena. We believe in the transformative power of esports and its ability to nurture teamwork, strategic thinking, and digital skills among the next generation,” SLT-Mobitel Group Chief Marketing Officer Prabhath Dahanayake said.

Gamer.LK is Sri Lanka’s premier games and esports organisation with over 15 years of experience in organising esports activities and tournaments. Gamer.LK’s consistent efforts in organising esports events and creating a holistic ecosystem around esports and related activities have led to the rapid growth of esports in Sri Lanka. Gamer.LK has also extended its industry expertise to international markets, mainly in South Asia, by creating experiences for the region such as the IGE South Asia Cup.