First-ever Gamers Fest winner wants chance at higher education
Published:Monday | September 2, 2024 | 12:07 AMAinsworth Morris/Staff Reporter
Oneil Boucher, winner of the very first award in Jamaica’s inaugural Gamers Fest JA event on Saturday, says he wants the opportunity to pursue tertiary level education.
According to the 23-year-old from Manchester, after completing Mandeville High School three years ago with five subjects passed in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, English language, social studies, principles of business, integrated science and office administration, he has been working alongside his father and participating in whatever work activity he is given to do.
Like many ‘game heads’ around the world, Boucher is part of a society viewed as just wanting to stay home, playing online games and not pursuing a successful career. However, Boucher said in his case that is simply not so.
He told The Gleaner on Saturday, after winning the Mortal Kombat I rounds of games against other registered players for Gamers Fest JA at The Summit in New Kingston, that his parents cannot afford to send him to pursue Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) and studies at a university in the capital city, so he has to do what they know best, and work alongside his father in the rural areas surrounding him.
“I really don’t know how to explain. I just never get the opportunity like most people would, so I’m just here sticking with what I have. Right now, I don’t have any profession at the moment. I just chill and sometimes mi help ‘round with mi fada fi him work, and I find time for the games,” Boucher said.
“Him have dis construction work weh him normally do sometimes, but him different, ‘cause sometimes him do delivery with him van.”
Boucher told The Gleaner that he is a “technology freak”, so the first official job he would want to get would have to be of that nature.
“If I had to choose, it would be something with information technology. I would like to have a steady job. Anything that arises and is probably better, I would take it. With a proper job, I can facilitate myself down the road. If I really had to choose, it would be like an office job or a call centre,” the youth said.
Boucher admitted that he has been a gamer since he was a young child.
Given that he is poverty stricken, the winner of the Mortal Kombat I event told The Gleaner that he does not own a gaming device. He learnt to play games “by going to Marlon’s shop” to play whenever he has the chance.
“It’s in Mandeville at Mandeville Plaza, like every weekend or twice a week at times I go there and practise,” he explained.
For Boucher, the very first Gamers Fest JA event, which was organised by the Jamaica eSports Initiative and the Jamaica eSports League, “was a very nice experience” and one he hopes will continue with the support and sponsorship of the private sector. The sponsors present included RadioShack, Pizza Hut and Supreme Ventures Games.
“I respect the players and everyone who turned out, and I’m just grateful for being victorious,” the humble youth said.
Like the average gamer who is a part of a group of regular players, he was invited to join a WhatsApp group two years ago, which introduced him to Gamers Fest JA, and he is grateful to have created history in being the very first winner.
Boucher’s victory was followed by other persons taking first place for Garfield Owens in Street Fighter 6, Lee Miller for Tekken 6 and Taje Bogle for EA Sports FC 24 games.
The inaugural Gamers Fest JA event showcased the most innovative and talented Jamaicans through interactive activities, state-of-the-art gaming technology, and the exhilaration of live tournaments. It was the first major in-person (land) eSports initiative from the Jamaica eSports League.
Gregory Moore, president of Jamaica eSports Initiative, organiser of Gamers Fest JA, told The Gleaner that applications for entry were oversubscribed by 34 players.
“The turnout was excellent. We expected that we would have a full house, simply because it was oversubscribed by a lot of players. We anticipated this and [are] happy that everything flowed smoothly. Based on the oversubscription, we prepared ourselves for today,” Moore said.