It was from Hillary on Plurk that I came to know about a very disturbing fact. Come November, 2 of Singapore’s top gamers would have to fund the trip on their own to represent Singapore in the World Cyber Games (WCG) finals in Cologne, Germany. There will be no sponsorships to bear their travel and accommodation cost, at least not yet.

I am astonished to say the least. It is ridiculous that our finest should be bearing any cost at all to represent our country in the largest gaming festival in the world. Regardless of how cyber gaming is looked upon on the local scene, these guys are carrying our nation’s name and pride, yet their cause is deemed as a personal one on their part.

Why is competitive gaming not recognized in Singapore?

Is it because it is a form of leisure and enjoyment or is it because it has had its more than fair share of public criticism? Like gaming, sports too is an engaging yet thrilling activity. At a point of time it has broken the spirit of men and women alike.

In their vicious attempt to cross their boundaries, they have suffered several punishing injuries to their body. And because of that, they are no longer the same. Their body is no longer the same. They can never do the things they previously enjoyed ever again.

We have seen how gamers lose control of themselves, of reality and eventually their sanity. Some are willing to forgo sleep, their academic studies and even their social life. All these can be attributed to unhealthy gaming. Similarly, sports is no longer something enriching if you are approaching it in an unhealthy direction.

Why is gaming not considered as an equal to sports? In every right, it deserves to be recognized.

These guys have an exceptional talent and should be given the support to compete against the very best from all over the world. Wouldn’t you be proud if a Singaporean gamer were to come up top?

Thankfully for them, the Singapore Cybersports and Online Gaming Association (SCOGA) are attempting to raise an amount of SGD $30,000 to send them to the finals of the WCG. If you have the means, please donate. If not, please spread the word like I have done here.