The Manitoba Esports Association is Canada’s largest non-profit Esports Association and it is part of the Canada Esports Association, that puts on various programs across the country. On March 18th & 19th, Manitoba Esports Association hosted an event entitled CECS Live! - a competition among young people in Winnipeg.

In this episode of "Civic Journalism", U-Multicultural Journalist Zuher Almusre spoke with Melanie Penner, CEO, of the Manitoba Esports Association and asked her about the importance of this association for youth in Winnipeg and what the challenges are facing players of electronic games teams in Winnipeg. 

Penner said that the Esports Organization in Manitoba organizes electronic games among young people and to make their voices heard. She said that these young people were playing randomly. They needed an organization that  to provide a platform to play with others in a somewhat professional setting.

Today, the electronic game playing has become like other physical games. People need training, coaching, strategic plans, and practice playing in a "professional" setting, because this may become their profession in the future. Also there are plenty of other things that they learn at such events that they can take into a variety of careers.

Melanie also added that electronic games have positive aspects, not just negative ones, as some believe. She says that esports showed their importance during the Corona pandemic, as it broke down the barriers of isolation and opened a network of communication between young people, and created new friendships among them.

Amusre also spoke with Dillon Chitin Technology and Broadcast Director, particularly about the concern that young people are sitting for very long period of times. He acknowledged that it was a problem but said that they encourage young people to get up for 15 minutes every hour and move around. 

In addition, Melanie said that electronic sports are not for a specific group, but rather for everyone and Manitoba Esports Association always welcomes new players from all cultural and minority backgrounds.

Stay tuned for more Civic discussions on Civic Platform: https://u-channel.ca/civic-journalism/  

Contact Zuher Almusre, our civic journalist, to share your story and explore civic issues at zuheralmusre@u-channel.ca.   

The project is funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage and administered by the Canadian Association of Community Television Users and Stations (CACTUS).