India and Pakistan are set to renew their rivalry this weekend with both countries’ best Counter-Strike gaming players set to compete in an exhibition match at this weekend’s BLAST Premier World Final in Abu Dhabi.
True Rippers Esports from India and Team WahWah from Pakistan will come together for the special Showmatch on Sunday at Etihad Arena with the chance to claim bragging rights in the Tier One tournament with tickets now available. Both True Rippers and Team WahWah will include two elite global esports BLAST Premier players in their ranks, which have been selected by fans on BLAST.TV.
They will have the chance to play in front of thousands of fans at the Etihad Arena as well as a global audience spanning 150+ territories. The showmatch is part of a partnership between BLAST, an esports entertainment company, and NODWIN, South Asia’s leading esports and gaming media company, which launched the ‘The Draft’ – a Counter-Strike tournament to kick off next year, that will give teams from India and Pakistan the chance to play with tier-one players on the global stage.
A recent report by esports market research firm Niko Partners revealed that the Asia and MENA regions accounted for over 56% of global esports revenue in 2022. India and Pakistan were the countries with the strongest number of active esports players in the South Asia region in the same period.
Faye Marlborough, Brand Director for BLAST, said: “We’re thrilled to be announcing the special Showmatch between True Rippers Esports and Team WahWah at the BLAST Premier World Final. Both countries have a strong following when it comes to esports and gaming, especially Counter-Strike and we cannot wait to see them play in front of a vibrant atmosphere at the Etihad Arena. With the World Final title decider also taking place on the same day, we encourage everyone to book their tickets now for this amazing spectacle.”