This year's UN appeal is less than half funded; food rations in Syria, water services in Yemen already cut; US provided half of submitted aid funds in 2024
mena22 minutes ago
Saudi Arabia's 'The Ultimates' secured regional bragging rights after coming out on top in Gamers Without Borders' latest MENA series - this time on multi-player favourite, Rainbow Six: Siege.
The five-player squad saw off Jordan's NASR Esports 2-1 in their first-round match (5-2, 1-5, 5-3) of last night's final four tournament, before triumphing over KSA rivals Osh-Tekk Warriors 2-0 (5-3, 5-2) in the series decider, according to a press release.
Their win earned them$250,000, which they quickly handed over to the King Salman Humanitarian Aid & Relief Centre to help support their efforts on the frontline combatting the spread of Covid-19.
"It's been absolutely incredible to take part in the Gamers Without Borders tournament and win over our KSA opponents Osh-Tekk Warriors. We have decided to donate our fund to King Salman Humanitarian Aid & Relief Centre because they are our local charity which plays a huge role in supporting relief for many countries around the world," said The Ultimates on their victory.
And that donation was enough to see Gamers Without Borders - the seven-week long esports event uniting gamers in the battle against coronavirus - smash the $2.5million mark in the amount of money it has handed over to charity since getting underway only two weeks ago, with a further $7.5million still ready to be shared with international organisations at the heart of the fight.
Last night's tournament finale hosted the MENA-region's four best performing Rainbow Six: Siege teams from last week's qualifying rounds.
In its opening match, an all-Saudi affair saw Osh-Tekk Warriors dominate Yalla Esports 2-0 (5-0, 5-2) after some quick and aggressive play that saw star-man EagleX bag eight kills in only Round One of the best of three contest.
The Ultimates secured their place in the final with a commandeering performance against NASR, in which the play of the game actually came from a player on the losing side: NASR's Valantino surviving a 3v1 situation to secure what was then a pivotal win.
That play clearly inspired the tournament's eventual winners, as it would be they who pulled-off their own sensational three-on-one clutch in what was arguably the final's deciding point.
With a play-off looking a near-certainty, MSSS of The Ultimates executed a memorable triple-kill play to bag the concluding match's opening round 5-3 for his team - and there was no looking back from there.
As Gamers Without Borders is all about supporting the global fight against Covid-19, the final four teams all donated their winnings to non-profit organisations.
Yalla and NASR Esports both earned US$62,500, which they donated to Gavi and the International Medical Corps respectively. Osh-Tekk Warriors handed over their second place $US$125,000 winnings to the King Salman Humanitarian Aid & Relief Centre, as did The Ultimates with their winning cheque.
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