Lyalle aka L.y.Ly, an Attorney by Profession but a Gamer at heart...
I graduated from the Nelson Mandela University in 2015, thereafter I was enrolled as a practising attorney in 2017 with right of appearance in the High Court of South Africa. However, those who have been able to identify my true passion in life, will tell you that I am, and always will be a gamer by heart.
I have captained Dopamine Gaming (which was established in December 2020), brought together with my partners at KLM, neXt with whom I have amassed 7000 in game hours with, and Marsman, with 4000 hours.
My first inclination to test my gaming abilities were during the days of Gran Turismo 1. I was never allowed to challenge my elder cousin’s or uncle’s; I was made to believe that the unplugged controller I had been given was in fact controlling the car on the screen. But, those who had the pleasure of playing GT will remember the tedious licensing requirements to be eligible for certain races. Acquiring the necessary licensing was obviously beneath the older and wiser, that job was given to me. Two to three hours after been tasked with achieving C or B (I stand corrected) license, they would ask me to hand over the control so that they may race… to their surprise, I would have achieved Gold, or at least Silver all the way up to the A licenses. This is one of the fond memories I treasure to this day, also why I consider my driving abilities second to none lol.
To date, and by the time you read this I would have added to it, I have acquired over 12 000 hours playing DOTA 2. As per Malcolm Gladwell’s popular rule of thumb, I would be considered an expert in the DOTA 2 community. Truth of the matter is, I am not, with approximately 4200 MMR, I would be considered average at best.
To be acquainted with an expert/professional DOTA 2 player/s within the boundaries of South Africa, is similar, if not more of challenge to finding a needle in a haystack. We ask ourselves why this is. There are many possibilities which may assist answering the question, but I do believe that the most crucial aspect to be dealt with is the stigma attached to gaming. Growing up, the talent to excel at gaming would, in most South African households be inferior to Rugby, Cricket, Soccer, Tennis or any other out-door sport. We are told to play outside, there is no fun to be had sitting in front of your TV or PC. Internationally however, there is a stark contrast not only regarding what we would want our kids to for fun, but the avenues available to build a career as a gamer for our kids. The International 10, DOTA 2’s largest international annual tournament posted a community fund prize pool more than $40 Million.
Our short term goal is premised on passion, to provide a platform worthy of 100 000 viewers, allowing South African gamers to express themselves.
There are many scrimmages/ exhibition matches/ lobby games/ local games in and around each clique. What KLM will provide, is yet to be seen within the realm of the South African gaming community. We are a newly formed company, and we will need your support every step of the way, whether this may be a single ticket purchase to enter one of our hosted tournaments or providing sponsorship.
The first tournament to be held, will be one which we have relatively in-depth experience collectively, will be a DOTA 2 tournament kicking off on the 29th of March 2021, with 20 invited teams battling it out for the coveted Aegis.
Our medium-term goal is focused entirely on attaining sponsorship necessary to take our hosted DOTA 2 tournaments to the next level, changing the perception South African households have towards gaming. A tough task, but one which is readily attainable by exposing the South African community to what KLM ESPORTS has to offer.
Finally, the end goal is to promote ESPORTS not only in South Africa, but the African continent as a whole.
Together, our dreams will become reality.