RIYADH — The Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Women's Invitational Tournament (MWI) began at the Esports World Cup on Wednesday, featuring the largest ever prize pool for a women’s esports tournament – an incredible $500,000.

For Abie, a Cambodian member of Team Serendipity, one of the 12 sides taking part, the prize pool is not only life-changing but proof that becoming a professional esports player is a viable career path for women. Abie – real name Chhaylim Kenary – said: “The prize money is life-changing. It would also break the stereotype and show we can earn and make a living out of this. I am very excited and very happy at the same time that I can participate in this tournament. I feel very proud of myself.”

Organized by Moonton and the Esports World Cup Foundation, the MWI group stages began on Wednesday and continue on Thursday, with the top two sides from each of the four groups advancing to the playoffs. The quarter-finals take place on Friday, with the semi-finals and grand final on Saturday. All matches are being played at the SEF Arena at Boulevard Riyadh City.

The Cambodian club, represented by MOSHII, Tegami, YuiFendi, and UEE, as well as Abie, were supported by enthusiastic fans both in the arena and at home. Despite a challenging start with a draw and a loss in their first matches, Team Serendipity views their participation in the MWI as just the beginning of their journey. Abie said: “For now, the expectation is to push as far as we can together; hopefully, we can go further and further in the tournament. I want to thank the fans watching from home supporting the team and tell them we will keep trying.”

Teammate Tegami – real name Rin Chanthana – echoed her sentiment. Both are from Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia. Tegami said: “I am very excited. The Esports World Cup is the biggest gaming event, so I feel very happy and proud that I can be part of this. I first started playing around 14 years old; I just want to get as far as possible with my teammates.”

The tournament prize pool reflects the growing presence of female gamers in Saudi Arabia. Out of the 23.5 million gamers in the Kingdom, some 48% are women.

The Esports World Cup, which has a $60 million prize pool, the largest in esports history, features a unique cross-game structure pitting the world’s top clubs and players against one another across 22 global competitions in 21 leading games. Lasting for eight weeks, it is the largest gaming festival in the world and runs until August 25 at Boulevard Riyadh City. — SG