Dubai World Trade Centre has partnered with Europe’s Electronic Sports League (ESL) to organize what’s touted as the ‘regions largest ever esports tournament’.

The Gitex Digital Game Championship 2008, held as part of the GITEX Digital Game World, will present AED 20,000 to the winning team.

Sixteen regional teams will battle for top honors in the popular videogame Counter-Strike from October 19th to the 22nd at the Airport Expo.

The top four teams will then take part in the Global Challenge Tournament 'INTEL Extreme Masters III' on October 22-24, where they will compete against some of the world's greatest players.

'The Middle East market is one of the fastest growing as young professionals discover the exciting world of digital gaming,” commented Jens Hilgers, CEO of Turtle Entertainment, operator of the ESL.“The Gitex Digital Game Championship will bring the thrills and excitement of the gaming world into the Middle East for the first time on this scale.”