eSports a hard sell in grades-obsessed Singapore

Teenage gamers worldwide are shunning mainstream education in favour of spending hours tapping away on computers and phones, attracted by a booming eSports scene where prizes at major tournaments reach millions of dollars. — Photos: AFP

SINGAPORE: In a country highly focused on academic achievement, Singaporean Galvin Kang Jian Wen did something almost unthinkable – he stopped studying as a teenager to spend more time playing computer games.

He defied parental and social disapproval after his high school finals to pursue his dream of becoming an eSports champion, but believes the sacrifice has paid off as he heads with his national team to South-East Asia's mini-Olympics.