A WOMAN making history in the gaming industry first had to abandon her football career to pursue life in the virtual world.
Kelsie Grieg was forced to say goodbye to a career in football following an injury several years ago.
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The Aberdeen gamer previously played for Scotland Women’s Under-17s.
But now, the 22-year-old has become the first-ever woman to qualify for the Call of Duty Challengers Elite tournament.
“I might be the first female to do it but hopefully I’m not the last. And it just means the world,” she told the BBC last week.
Grieg, who is known as Kels in the gaming sphere, faced discrimination when she first stepped into the e-sports industry.
Typically, just a fraction of the millions being won in gaming competitions around the world goes to women.
“There’s always been some sort of stereotypes around women competing in esports and, while I’ve experienced some of that in Call of Duty, for the most part the community has always been welcoming,” she told the Daily Mail.
“Yes, online gaming is a terrifying male-dominated world, but if I can conquer it, so can others. I might have been the first female to get this far but I hope I won’t be the last.
“My next goal is to become the first woman to play in the pro-league and I’m determined to score it. Why not? I’ve got this far.”
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The e-sports market is forecast to grow to be worth $1.9bn (£1.4bn) by 2025.
“I think people need to realise that gaming is not just sitting at your desk all day,” Kels told the BBC.
“Going to events, travelling, playing for money. Just even getting this from gaming is incredible.
“If you’re not into gaming, I don’t think you realise how big it is and how much you could do with it.”
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