Unleashing the Power of Esports in Education: Curro Esports Indaba Powered by Acer

The Curro Esports Indaba, powered by Acer as part of its Acer for Education initiative, took place from April 17–19, and it was an electrifying event that brought together gaming, esports, and education experts at the stunning Protea Hotel in Stellenbosch.

The three-day extravaganza featured an impressive lineup of speakers, including Stephen Reid, Microsoft Engagement Manager, Thulani Sishi, Operations and Team Manager at Goliath Gaming, and Gill Attwood, the online marketing guru. Delegates were treated to riveting keynotes and participated in breakout tracks tailored for all levels of experience, from beginners to seasoned esports pros. Topics covered included coaching esports at different school and professional levels, mindful coaching and team management, tournament planning, streaming and shout casting, the future of esports in South Africa, and esports in the modern workplace.

The Indaba was not just about informative presentations but also engaging plenaries, panels, and group discussions that delved into the exciting opportunities at the intersection of esports and education. Day 2 was held at the ATK Arena in Claremont, adding a thrilling sporting lifestyle twist to the event, which has become synonymous with esports.

The Curro Esports Indaba is a testament to the strong partnership between Acer and Curro, with Acer serving as Curro’s trusted esports partner since 2022. Acer has provided technical support, including maintaining safe and reliable servers for Curro’s learners, and sponsorship, such as the African Cyber Gaming League (ACGL) licence that officially designates Curro’s players as esports competitors. In March, Acer and Curro hosted the first Curro Crash LAN event of 2023, where over 200 players gathered to compete in popular games such as Minecraft Education: Capture the Flag, Dota 2, Overwatch 2, and Rocket League.

Glenn du Toit, Country Manager at Acer, expressed pride in associating with the Curro Esports Indaba, highlighting the transformative power of esports beyond just gaming. He emphasised that esports can instill valuable lessons and values in young minds, which they can carry into their studies, interactions with others, and future workplaces.

“Video games are about much more than having fun,” the Acer Country Manager said “Esports, in particular, can teach people lessons and values that they take with them into their studies, their interactions with others, and even into their future workplaces. Curro puts a lot of effort into esports as an extracurricular activity and relies on Acer to deliver reliable and safe online spaces for their learners.”

Acer’s commitment to providing reliable and safe online spaces for Curro’s learners goes beyond just games; it’s about preparing them for the technology-driven future. The Curro Esports Indaba is a celebration of this commitment, and the organisers are excited about the positive ideas and connections it will foster.