By Trisha Marie L. Abuyan and John Vincent C. Cruz

The world of esports is now emerging, and new opportunities are coming along the way for Tamaraw gamers to pursue their passion without compromising their academic responsibilities.

AcadArena has partnered with TamsFX (TFX), the official esports organization of Far Eastern University (FEU) - Manila, in giving scholarship programs for student players. The grants are provided by AcadArena, a national initiative built by pioneers of campus esports, to support programs that aim to empower students in developing their passion for esports. 

Gaming has grown to be a safe and thriving space for technologically savvy student gamers to grow their passion even during this global health crisis, allowing them to continue to flourish and sharpen their skills in the field of gaming.

TamsFX President Issa-Gene Medel shared that AcadArena’s scholarship programs pushed her and the other founders to build the organization.

“It is a perfect opportunity for them na habang naglalaro sila, ‘yung passion nila sa paglalaro at the same time meron silang nakukuha na benefits sa pag-aaral nila, which is the scholarship (It is a perfect opportunity for them that while playing [doing their passion] at the same time, they will receive benefits in their academics, which is the scholarship),” Medel said.

The grant includes financial assistance and gadgets, which are both vital for students during these challenging times.

Fostering campus esports through scholarship grants

The AcadArena ensures that student players are given ample opportunities, opening seven scholarship grants to gamers across the country. 

Last year, they opened the first-ever scholarship for esports athletes under their Alliance Program. For this year, AcadArena opened five out of the seven grants to senior high school and college students of the accredited schools. 

“May star system back then. Kapag accredited school ka, pasok ka, p’wede ka mag-apply. But today, inalis na nila ‘yun. (There was a star system back then. If you are from an accredited school, you are eligible to apply. But today, they already removed that),” Medel clarified. 

On the other hand, two scholarship grants are exclusive to alliance esports organizations of AcadArena. 

The exclusive Globe-AcadArena Merit Esports Scholarship (GAMES) is divided into two types, the Leadership Merit Scholarship, and the Competitive Merit Scholarship. These scholarships are given to students who are part of 2-3 star alliance student organizations. 

In partnership with sponsors Globe Telecom, Twitch Student, and Logitech G, AcadArena extended the grants outside the alliance. 

The Creator Grant is for active Twitch Streamer students, while the Gear Aid powered by Logitech G grants provides students with gaming equipment. 

Meanwhile, Globe-AcadArena Good Game Grant (G3) - Family is catered to students who are part of a household in need of equipment, while the Globe-AcadArena Game Grant (G3) - Study aims to fund esports related research. 

Lastly, the AcadArena Women in Esports (AWE) powered by Globe, strives to encourage active female members of any esports —empowering them to participate in a male-dominated niche.

In addition to the scholarships, AcadArena also provides TFX and other alliance organizations moral and financial support in competitions and webinars. For TFX, being an alliance of AcadArena opens new doors of opportunities for the organization and its members to continue their passion for esports. 

“Nag-provide din kasi sila ng mga trainings, boot camps, at classes to enhance our knowledge about esports. Nagtuturo din sila ng ibang leadership grounds, kung paano gumawa ng proposal and other basic leadership classes (They also provide trainings, boot camps, and classes to enhance our knowledge about esports. They also teach other leadership grounds, on how to make a proposal and other basic leadership classes),” Medel shared.

With this, TFX’s community has widened—enabling them to play, practice, and engage with other esports organizations that are instrumental for their improvement and recognition.

With the current online setup and the continuous advancement of technologies, there is no stopping student players from developing their skills in esports. Like any other passion, gamers need support to enable them in fulfilling their dreams.

Registration for scholarships outside the alliance is open until October 15, while the deadline for the exclusive grants is on November 15. 

(Photo courtesy of AcadArena)