The Unsung Champion

If I had told my parents 20 years ago that I could one day win World Championships and achieve Worldwide recognition and respect by doing nothing but simply playing my favorite video games from the comfort of my room, they would naturally call it outright nonsense, but what if I tell you that in the modern day and age, doing that has not only become a possibility, but is even a reality in the case of 26 year old Arsalan Siddique from Lahore. 

The Cliché saying ``Dreams do come true`` is often used as a superficial term of encouragement, where in actuality, only a very few and rare people live to accomplish that goal. A goal that is self taught, self discovered and clinched through years of self belief and hard work, all the while defying countless odds and leaping over numerous obstacles along the way. When put into perspective, a scenario like this almost feels like something out of a fairy tale, but that fits as the only ideal description for the kind of journey Arsalan has walked in his life.

  

Growing up as a shy and introverted kid in Lahore, Arsalan had always found his biggest comfort zone to be inside a small arcade near his house. This is where he would spend hours upon hours every day playing Video games with his small circle of friends. Little did he know at the time that in the future, he would still be doing the same thing, but not inside the arcade, but on the grand stage of EVO Japan (Evolution Championship series) , which is the biggest professional gaming championship of the world, and becoming the first Pakistani born E-Sport World Champion

Some context for those unfamiliar with the term, Electronic sports, or E-Sports as its better known is a form of professional competition using Video games. These events, like any other sport are organized on a global level, where qualified gamers from all over the world compete in annual championships to crown undisputed winners and Champions. Arsalan Siddique, or Arsalan Ash (Nickname) holds glory as being the first and only Gamer from Pakistan to win the Competition not once, but twice in succession in 2019. Furthermore, He was also crowned as Player of the year by none other than ESPN in the same year

Arsalan performs the Sajdah immediately after his victory in the EVO Championship finals to thank the Almighty

Although, he is widely eminent within the gaming community in Pakistan, but outside it, not many people know about Arsalan's Accomplishments or the whole Gaming as a profession phenomenon in general. Unfortunately, The world of competitive gaming has still not surfaced on the mainstream level in Pakistan, and Gamers don't conventionally carry an ideal reputation, as many people still believe that spending too much time playing video games is a waste of time and an overly unproductive activity, which is why the industry finds a very narrow and cult-like following among the youth. 

However, Arsalan with his World Champion status has now put himself forward as the catalyst for a change in perceptions regarding this community, and for the better understanding of the gaming industry, along with the hidden potential it carries for so many young and aspiring gamers in the country. It was only after Arsalan's success that this industry received some much needed recognition and more importantly appreciation from even the more conservative section of society. The need to understand that the art of gaming has become far more than just a hobby, but is now revered as a professional competition that requires great skill and talent, just like any other professional sport. 

Arsalan being presented the Champions Medal for his Victory 

As someone who's been a longtime member, supporter and follower of this community, I recently had the chance to meet and sit down for a chat with the Champion himself at a Comic con event in Karachi. Just getting to know the struggles and sacrifice he had to make in order to reach this level of success was truly inspiring to say the least

`` My Parents, particularly my mother always wanted me to be a Doctor, and for a while, that was the goal I had set for myself, but honestly, my mind was never sold on that idea. I knew deep inside that there was only one place where I really belonged. It was my passion and it was my dream to play video games for a living, but obviously my parents did not like that `` 

Said Arsalan explaining the dilemmas he had to endure pursuing his passion as a kid. Despite the early disapproval of his family and relatives, Arsalan motored forward with his sole ambition in mind. His perseverance helped him pass with flying colors in many of the local gaming tournaments. Eventually, he would win the biggest National competition in Lahore and finally prove with actions that he has the potential to do great things in this field. this victory fueled his desire to succeed more than ever before and he had now set his sight on taking his talent to the international stage, but the journey from there on was not so bright and rosy  

Arsalan with his Mother 

`` Money was always a big problem. I remember vividly when I had to save up for almost 2 years, just so that I would have enough to fulfill the requirements for traveling abroad for the first time. It also didn't help that I had never gone anywhere on my own before, so the transition from being a local gamer to an international competitor was something ill never forget, but at the same time, I will always be thankful for the fact that it all worked out for me in the end ``

 He said while reminiscing about his journey of highs and lows. Arsalan clarified that at the beginning, like most people, his parents were appalled by his idea of him taking up gaming as a profession, and he does not blame them for it. They were simply unaware of its potential, and it was only after Arsalan had started winning national events that his parents began to see the concept for what it really was, After that, he gained their support and that was something that made him more determined than he was ever before. He had to prove to his parents and family that his Goal was not a bluff, but much more than that. it was his mission to do what he set out to do.

``I don't know how to play video games casually. I'm either not interested at all or I play so much that I forget to eat `` He jokingly explained his love for the genre and said that if more people actually did what they genuinely wanted to do in life, without the fear of societal judgement or peer pressure, there could be a lot more amazing success stories out there. `` I am still young and there are so many things that I still want to do in this field`` Said Arsalan  ``Not just for myself, but for my country and family``

Arsalan receiving his award from the Humare Heroes initiative by the Pakistan Cricket Board during PSL

``No goal was too far and no mountain was too big in my mind. I was doing something I loved, I could not go wrong with it in any way because I was so sure of myself `` spoke Arsalan when I asked him if he ever doubted himself on the path he had chosen in his early days. Just the fact that it was his sheer will and dedication towards his passion that got him this far was something that truly struck me. A lot of people give up on their dreams with the fear that they may not succeed in the long run, or they may be looked down upon by society for choosing an unpopular route, but not Arsalan. He never gave up and took that leap of faith into the an obscure realm of endless possibilities. A venture like this did make me wonder if anyone else who had done the same thing would end up successful too, or was it just Arsalan who had the fortune and luck on his side.  Regardless of the `ifs and buts`, Arsalan Siddique`s Journey from a boy with a dream to a World Champion in a field that lacked approval and acknowledgement in society is truly a remarkable feat, and hopefully paves the way for many more young talented individuals from Pakistan to follow their dreams by heart, because believe it or not Dreams do come true