
The eSports industry is rapidly gaining momentum, and companies like eSports Middle East (ESME) are driving its growth by creating thriving career opportunities and paving the way for innovative businesses. Led by its founder, Saeed Sharaf, ESME serves as a leading solution for gaming and esports in the Middle East region. With a wide range of services and an extensive network, ESME seamlessly adapts its operations to the demanding and competitive gaming scene. Based in the UAE, with an office in the UK, ESME has demonstrated top-notch expertise in event management, solidifying its reputation as one of the best esports operators in the Middle East.
Filling the Gaps in eSports in the UAE
While the billion-dollar gaming industry is thriving in the Western world and Asia, the Middle East has yet to catch up. However, recent years have seen Arab countries like Saudi Arabia making significant strides to close this gap. In conversation with Evan Evaldas Vilius, Sharaf shares his belief that gaming is not just entertainment but a new way to attract tourism and create job opportunities.
Sharaf reflects, “I think the UAE has a lot of potential, but it’s unused, and it has been the case for a long period now. Due to a lack of a unified framework in the region, it takes a lot of effort to actually start up an esports business here from outside. But in the upcoming times, things are going to change, as the UAE has advantages in terms of infrastructure and the elements needed to make this happen.”
The Visionary Behind eSports Middle East
When it comes to esports, professional gamers are often seen as the front-facing trailblazers of a new generation of careers. However, companies like Sharaf’s are the backbone of making tournaments possible and normalizing gaming as a professional career in the region.
Working closely with game developers, ESME organizes both online and in-person gaming tournaments in the UAE and occasionally in neighboring Gulf countries. Sharaf notes that many viewers or gamers do not fully grasp the behind-the-scenes effort required to host these events. An online tournament typically involves a team of at least 20 experts, including designers, programmers, network engineers, broadcasters, and game moderators, among others.
Over the past decade, ESME has been responsible for organizing competitions for several top games, including Mobile Legends, the fifth most popular mobile game globally. The organization has received numerous awards for its exceptional work, including recognition from gaming giant Tencent.
Beyond tournaments, ESME has expanded into talent management, helping local professional gamers navigate the rapidly growing industry and thrive in this emerging career path. In a bid to make professional gaming more accessible, Sharaf and his team have created a website that provides esports news and guides in Arabic, offering a wealth of resources for the region’s players.
A Revolution in the World of eSports
Reflecting on their early days, Sharaf recalls that ESME began without a formal business model, evolving alongside the industry and continuously adapting to changes. He views this adaptability as a valuable lesson for entrepreneurs: staying open-minded and responsive to unexpected opportunities is key to success.
The esports entrepreneur shares that 10 years ago, they never envisioned expanding from physical events to virtual events and influencer marketing. Today, ESME holds the largest share in gaming content creators and advertising in the region. Looking ahead, Sharaf believes that 2025 will be a pivotal year, with several international tournaments from major federations on the horizon.
Sharaf also sees emerging technologies like VR as the future of esports and has heavily invested in virtual production. This technology is faster to implement, easier to modify, and less expensive than physical production. While physical studios may sometimes offer a more striking aesthetic, virtual studios allow for the integration of live data, real-time game results, and seamless participation from remote casters and players.
Saeed mentions, “We also have PlayStation, the Oculus, HTC Vive, and others. Maybe in five years, when this technology becomes more affordable and everyone has it, we will see entire leagues built around VR.”
What UAE Gamers Can Look Forward To
A career in gaming esports might have seemed unrealistic in the past. However, forward-thinking companies like eSports Middle East have paved the way for aspiring entrepreneurs who recognize the immense potential and opportunities in this growing industry, both regionally and globally.
Sharaf emphasizes that current regulations by the Department of Commerce now make obtaining a business license for gaming straightforward.
“Now, if you open a business license in the UAE, you have a game publisher, tournament operator, and these things are official activities. Even sports bodies and the Olympics recognize esports as an official sport,” he explains.
In a rapidly evolving industry, eSports Middle East is not only shaping the future of esports in the region but also redefining gaming as a legitimate career path. Sharaf encourages individuals with talent and passion for gaming to leverage available resources and forge their way into the professional world. With a wide range of overlapping job roles, working in esports can unlock countless opportunities for innovation, growth, and global recognition.
Follow Saeed Sharaf on LinkedIn.
Find eSports Middle East on LinkedIn and visit their website https://es.me/