THE Smart Omega Call of Duty: Mobile (CODM) team members finally got their visa application approved last Monday in time for the CODM World Championships in North Carolina, USA, set from December 15 to 18.
The team got a massive boost last month after getting the endorsement and support of House of Representatives Majority Leader Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr., Camarines Sur 5th District representative Miguel Luis Villafuerte and Camarines Sur 1st District representative Tsuyoshi Anthony Horibata.
The Smart Omega CODM team paid a courtesy call with the two representatives last month to discuss the team’s upcoming stint in the world stage and the further promotion of professional esports in the Philippines.
“It is both humbling and overwhelming when you get support from government officials who understand the potential in the growing esports scene in the Philippines,” Smart Omega Chief Executive Officer Christopher John Quimpo said.
“With the recent success of Smart Omega in various professional esports leagues, we continue to strive and somehow be able to be an example for those striving to venture into the esports scene in the country,” Quimpo said. “We are thankful for the continued trust of Smart and now for the recognition we received from the house through Rep. Villafuerte and Rep. Horibata.”
Villafuerte and Horibata sponsored the team’s gaming equipment and an Asus ROG 6 mobile phone required by the tournament organizers of the CODM World Championship.
The Smart Omega CODM team has been using the phone during training in the lead up to the world championship.
“On behalf of the team, I would like to thank Cong. Migz & Cong. Hori, the ‘CamSur Young Gunz’, for supporting and believing in Esports Young Gunz ‘Smart Omega CODM,’” Smart Omega Chief Operating Officer Phatrick Cruz said.
The team was also recognized during a session at the House of Representatives.
“We are excited to represent the Philippines in the worlds and we are grateful to everyone who made this stint possible, especially from government officials who helped our team secure our visas,” skipper Jerrold “Woopiiee” Regay said. “We will do our best to prove that Filipinos are one of the best CODM players in the world.”