The highly anticipated African eSports Championship is taking place at the Mohammed V Sports Complex in Casablanca, Morocco until 21 August. The event commenced with a grand opening ceremony yesterday.

Over 180 athletes from 17 countries are competing in five categories: CS2 Open, CS2 Women, MLBB Open, MLBB Women, and PubG Mobile. This tournament will highlight the rapid growth of eSports in Africa and serve as the second stage of the IESF African Regional Qualifiers, determining the final African participants for the World eSports Championship.

Hicham El Khlifi, President of the African Confederation of Digital Sports (ACDS) and the Royal Moroccan Federation of Electronic Games, stated, “Hosting the IESF Africa Esports Championship in Casablanca is a milestone for African Esports. It reflects our continent’s growing passion and potential in the digital sports arena. This event is more than a competition; it’s a statement of progress, showcasing the talent and spirit of African athletes to the world. We’re proud to lead this transformative moment for Esports in Africa.”

The top teams from this championship will represent Africa at the World Esports Championship in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in November 2024.

Bookies’ Odds for the 2024 African eSports Championship

Bookmakers are offering odds on various outcomes. Teams from South Africa and Egypt are currently favoured, given their strong performances in previous tournaments. Notably, the South African team, known for their strategic prowess in CS2, is a top contender. Meanwhile, Kenya’s Bilal Mohamed, last year’s champion, is also a favourite in the individual categories. Betting enthusiasts can find odds and place bets through major platforms like Bet365 and William Hill, which are providing comprehensive coverage and attractive offers for this event.

This tournament not only marks a significant milestone in African eSports but also showcases emerging gaming talent as these top teams compete for the opportunity to represent their countries on the global stage.

The African eSports Championship was established to expand eSports across the continent. Sponsored by various organizations, including the International Esports Federation (IESF) and local African businesses, the championship aims to provide a platform for African gamers to showcase their talents on a global stage.

Since its inception, the championship has seen significant milestones, including the first offline event in 2024. Last year, Bilal Mohamed from Kenya made history by becoming the first Kenyan to win an African title in eSports. This victory highlighted the increasing competitiveness and talent emerging from the African eSports scene.

SiGMA East Europe Summit powered by Soft2Bet, happening in Budapest from 2 – 4 September

In the vibrant setting of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood in South Florida, the 2024 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown $25,500 buy-in high roller event reached its thrilling conclusion. Among the elite competitors, one name stood out: Bryn Kenney. Known as poker’s all-time money leader, Kenney once again demonstrated his prowess by emerging victorious and adding another $487,990 to his impressive career earnings.

Kenney’s journey to the top of the poker world is nothing short of remarkable. With nearly $67.3 million in total earnings from 297 recorded in-the-money finishes, his career is a testament to consistent excellence. This latest victory marks his 31st career title, following a significant win at the 2023 Triton London event, where he secured $6,860,000. Notably, Kenney’s largest payday came from a heads-up deal in the 2019 Triton Millions charity invitational, where he walked away with over $20.6 million.

The 2024 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open High Roller event saw Kenney outlast a field of 67 entries. His performance earned him 504 Player of the Year (POY) points, bringing his total to 890 for the year and placing him within the top 600 in the 2024 POY standings presented by Global Poker.

The event featured a prize pool of $1,654,900, distributed among the top 10 finishers. Notable eliminations included Justin Zaki in 10th place ($52,900) and Brock Wilson in 9th place ($52,900). Jonathan Jaffe, who finished 7th, earned $62,900, while Darren Elias, a four-time WPT main event winner, secured $77,800 for his 6th place finish. Brandon Wittmeyer and Brandon Wilson finished 5th and 4th, earning $102,600 and $152,300, respectively. Alex Foxen, who has nearly $33.5 million in lifetime earnings, finished 3rd with $220,100.

The final showdown saw Kenney holding 5,400,000 chips against Daniel Sepiol’s 1,300,000. The two players agreed to a deal, with Kenney securing $487,990 and the title, while Sepiol earned $390,810 as the runner-up. This marked Sepiol’s seventh final-table finish of the year, adding to his impressive resume, which includes a bracelet win at the World Series of Poker earlier this summer.

Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown

With this latest victory, Bryn Kenney continues to solidify his position as poker’s all-time money leader, showcasing his consistent performance and dominance in the high-stakes poker world.

Bryn Kenney was born in1986, in Long Beach, New York. From a young age, Kenney showed a keen interest in card games, initially playing “Magic: The Gathering” competitively. This early exposure to strategic thinking and competition laid the foundation for his future success in poker.

Kenney’s transition to poker began in his teenage years, where he honed his skills in local games and online platforms. His first major live cash came in 2007 at the East Coast Poker Championships in Verona. Kenney’s breakthrough on the global stage occurred during the 2010 World Series of Poker (WSOP), where he finished 8th in the $25,000 No Limit Hold’em - Six Handed event, earning $141,168. He also placed 28th in the Main Event that year, securing $255,242.

In 2014, Kenney won his first WSOP bracelet in the $1,500 10-Game Mix Six Handed event, adding $153,220 to his earnings. His career continued to ascend with notable victories, including a $1,687,800 win at the 2016 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure $100,000 Super High Roller event, and a series of high-stakes wins at the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series in 2019.

Kenney’s strategic prowess and fearless approach have made him a formidable force in the poker world. His ability to read opponents and execute flawless bluffs has earned him a reputation as one of the best in the game. Beyond the tables, Kenney is known for his charismatic personality and his contributions to poker culture, including his role as an ambassador for GG Poker.

Kenney’s journey from a young card enthusiast to poker’s all-time money leader is a testament to his skill, resilience, and unbridled ambition. His story continues to inspire a new generation of poker players aiming for greatness.

The Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open (SHRPO) High Roller event has become a cornerstone of the poker calendar since its inception in August 2013. Established by the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, the SHRPO quickly gained a reputation for its high-stakes action and substantial prize pools. The inaugural event featured a groundbreaking $10 million guarantee, the largest in poker history at the time.

Over the years, the SHRPO has attracted some of the biggest names in poker, with numerous milestones and memorable moments. The series has expanded to include multiple high roller events, with buy-ins starting at $10,000. Notable winners include Erik Seidel, who triumphed in one of the early high roller events, and Bryn Kenney, who has consistently performed well in these tournaments.

The SHRPO continues to be a highlight of the poker season, drawing players from around the world to compete in South Florida’s premier poker destination. Its combination of luxurious settings, competitive fields, and significant prize money ensures that the SHRPO remains a must-play event for poker professionals and enthusiasts alike.

SiGMA East Europe?Summit powered by Soft2Bet, happening in Budapest from 2 – 4 September

As the fantasy baseball season reaches its climax, managers are on the lookout for players who can give their lineups a final boost. While many prospects have already made their debuts, there are still a few who could make a significant impact. Here, we highlight three top-tier prospects who have the potential to shine.

Junior Caminero’s journey to the majors has been eventful. After a strong start in 2024, a slump and a quad strain delayed his debut. However, he bounced back impressively, hitting .304 with five home runs in 19 games upon his return to Triple-A. Now back in the majors, Caminero has shown flashes of his potential, including a hit with an exit velocity of 116.3 mph. Fantasy managers should be patient, as his elite power could be a game-changer during the playoffs.

?Born in 2003, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Junior Caminero grew up with a passion for baseball. He signed with the Cleveland Indians as an international free agent in 2019 before being traded to the Rays.?His journey through the minors was marked by impressive performances, including a stint in the Australian Baseball League where he became a fan favourite.

Junior Caminero is currently in Major League Baseball and is on the roster of 53 percent of fantasy baseball teams. In the 2024 season, he has played 2 games in MLB with a batting average of .143, no home runs, no runs batted in, no runs scored, and 1 stolen base, while in Triple-A, he has played 53 games with a batting average of .276, 13 home runs, 34 runs batted in, 33 runs scored, and one stolen base.

Jasson Dominguez, also known as “the Martian,” had a promising 2023 that led to a brief stint in the majors. Unfortunately, an elbow injury required Tommy John surgery, delaying his return. Despite a strong start in 2024, a crowded Yankees outfield and another injury have kept him in Triple-A. Dominguez’s power and speed make him a valuable stash for fantasy managers, with the potential to become a star in 2025.

Born in 2003, in Esperanza, Dominican Republic, Jasson Dominguez was named after Yankees first baseman Jason Giambi by his father, a former baseball player and Yankees fan.?Dominguez began training for a baseball career at age eight and quickly gained attention for his extraordinary talent, earning the nickname "El Marciano".

Dominguez is currently at the Triple-A level with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and is on the roster of 23 percent of fantasy baseball teams. In the 2024 season, he has played 10 games in Double-A with a batting average of .316, four home runs, eight runs batted in, eight runs scored, and one stolen base, and 24 games in Triple-A with a batting average of .280, three home runs, fourteen runs batted in, twelve runs scored, and seven stolen bases.

Jace Jung, a 2022 draft pick, has quickly ascended through the Tigers’ ranks. Expected to debut on 16 August, Jung has shown consistent power and a keen eye at the plate, boasting a .377 OBP in Triple-A. His versatility could see him playing at third base, providing fantasy managers with a potential power boost. While it may be wise to monitor his initial performance, Jung’s positional flexibility adds to his fantasy value.

Jace Jung was born in 2000, in San Antonio, Texas. He played college baseball at Texas Tech University, where he was named the Big 12 Conference Baseball Player of the Year. His older brother, Josh Jung, also plays professional baseball, making it a family affair.

These prospects have the potential to become key players in fantasy baseball, offering power, speed, and versatility. Keep an eye on them as the season progresses and consider adding them to your roster for a competitive edge.

Jace Jung is at Major League Baseball level, this player is rostered in only 5 percent of leagues. In 2024 AAA, he played 91 games, hitting .257/.377/.454 with 14 home runs, 60 runs batted in, 50 runs, and two stolen bases.

SiGMA East Europe Summit powered by Soft2Bet, happening in Budapest from 2 – 4 September

Today marks the fourth day of the hunger strike by employees of Evolution Georgia. It has been a very difficult period of their lives, they said to SiGMA News.

Earlier today "one of the strikers who has very low blood sugar needed medical attention", explains Giorgi Diasamidze, head of the Georgian Trade Union Confederation. "There is no difference between being part of the strike or not - we the employees of Evolution Georgia all want the same outcome from the company administration, " he added.

Over the past few months, SiGMA News has been inundated with concerns from employees, union leaders, and strike representatives about the ongoing dispute in Georgia involving Evolution. The situation has escalated, with the industry now questioning how long this standoff will persist.

In an exclusive interview this week, SiGMA News spoke with Giorgi Diasamidze, Chairman of LABOR and head of the Georgian Trade Union Confederation, Makhare Patashuri, and Tamar Ansiana, a representative of the Trade Union, to gain deeper insights into the matter.

The strikers, who are stationed in the same building as Evolution’s senior management, have reported an increase in the number of hunger strikers. They feel secure in their position at the entrance of the company’s main building, where their visibility is high. This strategic location not only ensures their safety but also amplifies their message.

The Union has also initiated a petition for support from non-strikers, aiming to escalate their resolution in this dispute. The growing support, they believe, reflects the widespread discontent within the company and the urgent need for a resolution.

LH: Can you elaborate on the primary issues that initiated the strike at the Tbilisi office of Evolution?

Diasmidze, Patashuri, Ansiana: There are a number of factors which initiated the strike. But the main and initial thing that triggered the strike were the leaked screenshots of Evolution's team managers . The team managers wrote comments that were in very bad taste. In our opinion they were racist , sexist and discriminated comments about the dealers who were employees of Evolution . There were other problems that included lower wages, in our opinion unnecessary breaches and violations to the dealers, health and sanitary issues. Overall, employees, in particular dealers were not being treated with respect by our employer.

LH: How would you react to Evolution’s assertion that the strike has inflicted irreversible harm to its operations?

Diasmidze, Patashuri, Ansiana: The company has a solution at this stage, it can sort out the relationship with the strikers and union which means meeting the demands that have been made. Damages can be recovered after the strike is over.

It is true that the strike has caused a lot of difficulties to a lot of people including the strikers themselves and it's not just the dealers and team managers who are currently working who are suffering. Some employees who are on strike have been living outside the offices of Evolution for days and there are people who lost their homes, single mothers who are currently on strike because of the unjustified treatment they believe they received from the company

From our point of view, extreme measures had to be taken since Evolution was not ready to listen to the strikers and hear about their problems, We believe that the company was not willing to negotiate with the strikers.

It is true that the strike has affected Evolution's operations. It is a difficult situation for both the strikers and the non strikers but as I said earlier, extreme measures had to be taken by the strikers for the company to listen to the strikers and their problems Its been over a month since the beginning of the strike and the company are doing everything in their power, trying to manipulate the dealers working inside to hate the strikers and so on but negotiate with the strikers and address the issue and come to a mutual agreement.

LH: Could you specify the working conditions that the employees are seeking to improve?

Diasmidze, Patashuri, Ansiana: One of the main issues is the working environment inside Evolution. Some tables are dirty and sometimes there is an infestation of mosquitoes. Some of the deals were severely affected with skin conditions, infections and allergies. Another major issue is low remuneration. The employees are not paid enough for thee work they put in. Some employees work so hard to support their families and settle for a mediocre salary and this is one of the issues we are trying to address. Some employees are disrespected with what we believe to be unjustfied break of our contract. There is a list of 45 demands from the strikers. The workers had 21 days of mediation with heads of Evolution in Georgia but this was of no help so far as out of the 40 requests made by the workers, almost none were accepted. Only after this did the workers at Evolution Georgia decide to go on strike. All ministry agencies were informed about the strike. After the 21 days of silence during which the workers lived in a tent around the close and Evolution ignore the situation, and were covered extensively in the local media, did the strike actions commence. Police were present and Evolution lawyers too 24/6, but the strikers' actions remained within the limits of the law. Evolution brought in additional security who were rude to the strikers. Some employees were afraid of losing their jobs because the company leaders had no idea what to do.

LH: Tell me more about the layoffs.

Diasmidze, Patashuri, Ansiana: Evolution frequently targets employees who are still in their probation period which is six months. They recently fired 900 people without any reason . During the strike, Evolution hired many new employees, using new hires to fill gaps during the strike. We started a hunger strike on 13 August. This decision comes after a month of protesting without any response form Evolution Georgia. Despite the Ombudsman of Georgia urging the company to engage in negotiations Evolution Georgia has taken various steps, both legal and illegal to avoid conversations with the strikers. The decision to start a hunger strike was not made lightly but it has become the only option left to draw attention to our cause. The strikers are open to negotiations with company leaders. Using such a hard form of protest and risking health is not our desired decision. For more than a month we have been trying and waiting for steps to be taken.

LH: What is the current count of employees participating in the strike, and how has this figure evolved since the strike’s inception?

Diasmidze, Patashuri, Ansiana: Several thousand workers have gone on strike since the strike began. Their number is constantly changing. Some of the employees returned temporarily and then rejoined the strike, some continue to work and some joined the ranks of the strikers during the strike. The figure is constantly fluctuating but it has never fallen below 2000.

LH: Could you detail the union’s attempts to negotiate with Evolution prior to and during the strike?

Diasmidze, Patashuri, Ansiana: During the strike period we did not make any attempts at negotiation based on the fact that both parties know that this time the initiative of negotiation should be initiated by the employer. The trade union has now been negotiating for the last two years, but Evolution has never expressed its desire to resolve the main issues. The last negotiation was conducted with the involvement of a mediator where we agreed on only one of the 39 critical issues presented. Specifically, the company only agree to the Union's request to add a covered smoking area to the yard.

LH: How would you respond to Evolution’s claim that the strike actions were illegal?

Diasmidze, Patashuri, Ansiana: Law enforcement and police have been present since the beginning of the strike and have acted accordingly to ensure that everything being done is within legal parameters. The necessary conditions stipulated by the law for a legal strike have been observed by the trade union.

LH: What is the union’s position on Evolution’s decision to terminate 1,000 employees?

Diasmidze, Patashuri, Ansiana: Evolution has employed additional personnel to replace those who went on strike. When the strike ends, these replacements will logically be threatened with dismissal on the grounds that they will no longer be needed. Evolution has been hiring people on an initial 6-month trial period, clearly to replace the strikers. This is why, as Evolution stated in their August 5 announcement, the company has been able to function smoothly until now.

However, realizing that it could not break the strike action with these replacement hires and that an agreement to end the strike is inevitable, the company is now firing those who were hired to replace the strikers and blaming it on the union. Article 68 of the Labour Code prohibits this. Dismissal during the probationary period is possible for the employer because both the Labour Code and the court do not require the employer to provide justification, payment of compensation, or advance warning (Article 17 of the Labour Code).

At the same time, if the employer plans mass layoffs, it is obliged to start consultations with the union of employees in a reasonable time with the intention of reaching a possible agreement. At a minimum, the consultation should include ways and means of avoiding mass layoffs or reducing the number of workers to be laid off, and the possibility of supporting the re-employment or retraining of the laid-off workers.

The strike will not stop and will continue until the fair demands of the employees are met. From the beginning of the strike until now, Evolution has been hiring people on a 6-month trial period to replace the strikers. This is why, as Evolution stated in their announcement of 5 August, the company has been able to function smoothly until now. Realizing that it could not break the strike with the replacements and that an agreement to end the strike is inevitable, the company is now firing those who were hired to replace the strikers and blaming it on the union, while the union has been repeating almost every day since the strike began that after the return of the strikers.

LH: How has the strike affected the morale of the employees and their perception of the union’s actions?

Diasmidze, Patashuri, Ansiana: Each person reacts differently. Confidence in the trade union has increased among strikers and their level of awareness of the situation has also increased. However, Evolution is conducting an active campaign to discredit the trade union and we think that that has managed to aggressively motivate the trade union going forward.

LH: What are the union’s planned actions if Evolution fails to meet the demands of the employees?

Diasmidze, Patashuri, Ansiana: The Union will continue to fight in strike mode until the demands are met.

SiGMA News strives to provide a platform for all parties involved.

Recognizing that there are always two sides to every story, SiGMA News has made several attempts to contact senior officers at Evolution via email, phone, and third-party intermediaries, offering an exclusive interview. Evolution has yet to accept the offer for an exclusive interview, which remains open. This would certainly shed light on the complexities faced by both employers and employees in support of a conflict resolution, possibly serving as a catalyst for calming tensions.