The esteemed Indonesian soccer club Persija Jakarta is close to finalizing a deal to sign the prominent esports team BOY WITH LOVE as its official VALORANT roster. This exciting development was subtly revealed in the VCT APAC Group Stage’s team list, where Persija’s logo was prominently featured in Group B alongside Paper Rex and Bonkers. This move is expected to further ignite the growing enthusiasm within Indonesia’s rapidly expanding esports community.
If the deal goes through, BOY WITH LOVE will be supported by one of Indonesia’s most esteemed soccer organizations. Established in 1928, 17 years before Indonesia’s independence, Persija Jakarta has amassed a massive following, earning recognition as one of the largest soccer clubs in Asia by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
In a recent tweet in Bahasa Indonesia, Persija hinted at their foray into esports, stating, “Get ready for Persija Esports. The latest breakthrough from Persija who is ready to compete and become the best in the VALORANT Champions Tour 2022. Stay tuned [tunggu tanggal mainnya], Jak.”
Despite being well-known for their success in professional soccer, having won 11 league titles and never experiencing relegation since the 2008/09 season, Persija Jakarta made their first foray into esports in August 2020 by signing PES player Rizal “Ivander” Danyarta. The potential addition of Nanda “asteriskk” Rizana and his teammates to the Persija Jakarta family is poised to be a significant milestone in Indonesia’s esports landscape.
BOY WITH LOVE secured a coveted spot in the VCT APAC Stage 1 Challengers after an impressive victory over ONIC G, despite not being affiliated with any esports organization at the time. If Persija Jakarta finalizes this acquisition, they would boast one of Indonesia’s premier VALORANT teams, with the only missing piece being a coach.
Persija Jakarta is following in the footsteps of other Indonesian soccer clubs like Dewa United F.C. and RANS Cilegon F.C., both of which have ventured into esports. Dewa United F.C., a tier-two club in the official Indonesian league (Liga 2), has made significant strides in various esports titles, including Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, PUBGM, and VALORANT. Their VALORANT team recently achieved a commendable 5-6th place finish in the VCT Indonesia Stage 1 Playoffs.
As the VCT APAC Stage 1 Challengers group stage is set to commence on March 16th, the complete lineup of Persija Jakarta’s VALORANT team remains shrouded in mystery. However, it is rumored that the team will consist of Nanda “asteriskk” Rizana, Kevin “Eeyore” Gunawan, Fikri “famouz” Zaki, Vicky “Flynch” Rudyanto, and Baskoro “roseaufy” Dwi Putra.
Overall, Persija Jakarta’s potential entry into the world of professional VALORANT esports signifies a significant milestone for both the club and the burgeoning esports scene in Indonesia. This fusion of traditional sports and competitive gaming further showcases the dynamism and inclusivity of the rapidly evolving esports landscape in the country. For those seeking deeper insights into the Asian VALORANT scene and similar upcoming content, stay connected with VALO2ASIA on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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