Kazakhstan launched its first female eSports league. Named the Female Pro League (FPL), the tournament marks a significant milestone in the country’s online gaming scene by providing female gamers the opportunity to compete professionally.
Kazakhstan’s First Female eSports Tournament Unveiled: Highlights
- The Female Pro League establishes a competitive framework in eSports, exclusively for women. The event fosters a sense of community while providing a platform for female gamers to showcase their skills professionally.
- The FPL aims to establish a secure and competitive environment for female gamers, nurture skill development at par with global standards, and promote eSports as a career for women.
- Counter-Strike 2 is the featured game in the first-ever Female Pro League. The tournament will have a prize pool of 2.5 million tenge (approximately US$4,647). Future events with bigger prize pools are expected to be hosted later this year.
Kazakhstan’s First Female eSports League Unveiled
According to The Astana Times, the Female Pro League (FPL), Kazakhstan’s first female eSports league was unveiled in Almaty. The league aims to establish a secure and competitive platform for female gamers in the country, enabling them to develop their skills, improve global rankings, and compete professionally.
The first season of the FPL will feature Counter-Strike 2 and have a prize pool of 2.5 million tenge (roughly US$4,647). The grand finale will be hosted in Almaty. The organisers are working on a second tournament, which is expected to happen shortly after. It will feature an even bigger prize pool. Details are yet to be announced.
Aigera Dunamis, a renowned Kazakhstani cosplayer and eSports enthusiast, has been appointed as an official ambassador of the FPL. Speaking to journalists, Dunamis expressed how she believes the FPL will enable more players to access the rapidly growing eSports sector:
“The women’s league is not about division. It’s about access. I know from experience how prevalent dismissive attitudes toward women can be in gaming. I’m proud that a movement to challenge that is starting here in Kazakhstan.”
FPL’s Role in Kazakhstan’s Dynamic eSports Industry
The Female Pro League aims to address several biases that women in gaming face, including restricted access, underrepresentation in professional tournaments, gender stereotyping, and online harassment. FPL organisers aim to break conventional barriers and encourage female participation at an international level.
Several celebrities and international heavyweights attended the launch event. The guest list included Dzhamilia Alagozova (Jammie), a Kyrgyz professional CS2 player representing Team Spirit Female in global events, and eSports producer Cliff Kelly. The guests lauded the event’s potential in shaping the future of professional gaming circles.
The FPL has the potential to attract sponsorships from domestic and international brands, gain global viewership from eSports enthusiasts, and inspire young Kazakhs to pursue eSports as a career. The tournament is open to participants globally and is expected to fuel accessibility, growth, and equal opportunities for female gamers.
The organisers plan to add more games, host tournaments frequently, partner with leading eSports organisations, and to collaborate with the top sportsbook software providers to provide greater exposure and training to local gamers. The Female Pro League aims to support growth sustainably and inspire women to participate in eSports events.