First Cuban DotA (Defense of the Ancients) Tournament kicks off

Teams enjoying their match.

Kabir Vega Castellanos

HAVANA TIMES — Backed by the ADEC (Cuba’s Electronic Sports Group), the qualifying rounds of the first DotA tournament in Cuba began on the weekend of September 2-3.

Both on Saturday and Sunday, at the well-known recreational center “Hola Ola”, on the main Malecon avenue in Vedado, battles between different teams from the first two groups were carried out.

Only being able to lose once, the goal was to win three times. Every team applied their strategies and they tried their hardest to surprise their rival team, however, only two teams from each group go on to the next round. Fortunately, losing doesn’t mean you are kicked out of the tournament, you were just classified as Category B, while the winners went on to be included in Group A.

The Game Fast team qualified for the second round.

A curious detail which shocked many people who went was the formality of the event. The very day each team has to compete, a photo is taken with all of its members and its Captain standing in the middle. These photos, as well as others from the event were uploaded to the ADEC page which exists on the alternative SNET network.

For Cuban e-Sports players, who are used to not receiving recognition but are subjected to the widespread opinion that they are lazy, addicts who only waste their time avoiding reality, this unusual attention was very nice and it made them feel special.

A team selecting their characters.

Even those who got left behind in Category B continue to polish their strategies and get rid of possible mistakes. The opportunity to be seen, to be the center of people’s comments, the fact that a simple match can unleash euphoria and pride among its kin, is something which these anonymous players aren’t used to.

Originally, it was planned that the next groups would continue playing on the weekend of September 9-10, but with the sudden appearance of Hurricane Irma, meetings were suspended until further notice.

Anxiety is growing among those who wanted to get through to the next round now, but it will also be an opportunity for those teams who still feel a little uncertain to practice a little longer.

Enthusiasts at the tourment.

Kabir Vega

I am a young man whose development in life has not been what many might consider normal or appropriate, but I don’t regret it. Although I am very reserved, I dissent strongly from many things. I believe that society, and not only of Cuba, is wrong and needs to change. I love animals sometimes even more than myself since they lack evil. I am also a fan of the world of Otaku. I started in Havana Times because it allowed me to tell some experiences and perhaps encourage some change in my country. I may be naive in my arguments, but I am true to my principles.