'WE’LL DO OUR BEST' INTERGAMES FIRST DIVE INTO ESPORTS

It's in the talks. You've heard it. I've heard it. We all have, but what's the harm in knowing a bit more? So:

CU Intergames 2022 is here!

This year, we commemorate the 15th anniversary of CU Intergames, which is, for those who are curious, 'an annual sporting event between international program students across Chula' (Intergames Committee, 2021). And things are looking up for BALAC with the newest addition to the event.

Back tracking a bit, as of now, BALAC will be competing in six sports in total, with up to eight teams for traditional sports, which will be revealed soon, wink wink. Now, what exactly is so special about this year, you may ask?

Well, for the first time ever in Intergames history, following its exponential rise in popularity, esports is open for competition! The games are Valorant (team), ROV (team) and Among Us (individual).

Unlike our eight teams in traditional sports, there is no limit to how many esports teams from a faculty there can be, but as fate may have it, we have one super team competing for each game! Representing BALAC, we have one team of five for Valorant, one team of also five for ROV and one athlete for Among Us.

Meet our athletes:

Valorant — Team Sentence

• Piggies - Ravissara Sangruangruk

• Kong - Klittin Thanapunyasiri

• Phoon - Poon Tharasawadi

• Noon - Anantchoat Pitakwattananon

• Che - Chanon Chitpanya

Luckily, we got the chance to interview team member Piggies before the start of the tournament. Here’s what she had to say:

Tell us about your team. How did this all happen?

‘I have been playing Valorant since I finished university admission, and I have… very little experience with FPS games *laughs* …however, I really do enjoy it and I started to be serious about it…

About our team, in the beginning, I knew no one in BALAC who played Valorant *sheepish chuckle*... It was only myself and the other teammate who’s in the Thai Program, so I just sent a message in the BALAC line group, then the other teammates showed up one by one… and voila! We got a team *laughs* I think only one of us has ever competed, Noon who is now our IGL (in-game leader). We did several custom games with other teams — friends from high school and other faculty as well. Although—although we might not have that perfect aim like some teams out there, I do believe in our team-play. We communicate well, trust in each other and always cheer each other up. I don't know what to say. I just have a really good feeling about this team *smiles*.’

Does that mean you’re not nervous?

‘Of course, I’m NERVOUS. When you’re about to compete in a sport who wouldn't be? I guess I'll just do my best in my role as a sentinel/controller — using my utilities to help my teammates, intel, shooting the enemies... *fidgets* I’ll need to get rid of my nervousness… and just… focus and be confident. I guess. This game is all about confidence, if you trust in yourself, you’ll aim better. Look, it’s generic, but it’s true. If you make a mistake and keep thinking about it for the whole game, that's what makes you actually lose. SO... I'll always cheer the others on and, you know, keep the vibe positive.’

Ahaha, I hope that question didn’t throw you off too much, because I’m sure this one will. So, I’ll cut to the chase. Do you think you’ll win? To this question, a calm seems to wash over her.

‘As I said, I really trust in our team-play and having high hopes is always a good thing. I won't say that we will definitely win, but it is always possible to win. It's either win or lose, and we are not here thinking that we will lose.’

I’m going to be absolutely honest — you sounded really cool saying that *laughs*. How about one last word to the readers?

‘Well, we really appreciate all the support from you and promise that we’ll do our best in the competition!’

Thank you so much for your time. Good luck!

That was all for our interview with Piggies for our Valorant team Sentence. If you’re interested, go check her Twitch out: piggiespig.

ROV — Team Berries & Cream

• Birdie - Ploypak Watanabe

• Tongfah - Napa Arunrakthavorn

• Bell - Panisara Sathirasuit

• Tan - Gongpol Thabki

• Sky - Thanyathorn Katiuthaivong

Among Us (Individual)

• Pop - Hathaipat Isariyaanan

Unfortunately, it seems that us viewers won’t be able to watch any of the preliminary rounds until the event ends, but nonetheless, BALAC Intergames Committee is extremely excited to see our peers entering and competing, starting today, 26 January, with the final match concluding on 8 February, so stay tuned before you miss it on Instagram @cuintergames.

And while we sadly didn’t get to talk to all of our BALAC esports athletes, please know that we wish you the best of luck. Or if copyright laws didn't exist, may the odds be ever in your favour!

For any further inquiries, contact us through email at balac14stuco@gmail.com and for more news, follow us on Instagram (@balac.fm).

Written by Pacharasorn Thummachote Proofread by Prangsinee Navawongs

Pacharasorn Thummachote, also known as Ivie, is pretending to be a journalist in hopes to promote our lovely BALAC athletes for the 15th Intergames. She is interested in tea, and unfortunately not much else. Her expertise lies in organisational work and writing, though this statement is doubtful, as she wrote this description herself.