On January 14, the team Vikings Esports (VKE) officially made its debut to the community of VCS. This team is special, transferred from the Saigon Buffalo by the Vikings Gaming cyber game system. Vikings Esports boasts several notable names, including SofM in a co-owner role, and two standout players in the lineup are Kati and Shogun, with the coaching position held by another former member from GAM Esports – Hankay. With a high-quality coaching staff and promising players, VKE is expected to be competitive for titles in the upcoming 2024 season.
During the offline launch event, when asked about the possibility of returning to compete with the team members, the “Vietnamese Jungle God” stated: “…If I have the opportunity, I might come back to compete in VCS (Vietnam Championship Series)”. SofM’s half-serious, half-joking remark excited the fans. Although he has temporarily stepped away from professional League of Legends for some time, his skills, analytical ability, and years of experience still make SofM a formidable opponent.
However, given the focus on nurturing and developing young talents, it can be said that SofM’s statement was primarily made in jest. Coach Hankay also affirmed: “The team’s goal in the first season is to be in the top 4 and as high as possible. The coaching staff will focus on developing and bonding the players to achieve higher accolades in the future”.
As for Kati, the former mid-laner from GAM Esports is even more confident if he faces his old team: “…If I meet Anh Khánh (Levi) again, I’ll ask for a 2-0”. Many still remember that Kati is one of the most successful mid-laners of GAM. Moreover, along with Levi and Kiaya, he formed one of the strongest top lane trios in VCS, contributing significantly to the achievements of GAM. Even commentator Hoàng Luân once stated that GAM’s top lane play operated effectively thanks to Kati performing well in his role.
After various interactions and sharing sessions between the players and fans, attendees at the launch event also had the chance to receive gifts through raffles, Q&A sessions, and check-ins with the players, as well as getting signatures from SofM and other VKE members.
VKE launched with the participation of many brands that are well known to the Vietnamese public, not just VCS viewers. During the offline team launch, a large number of fans attended and had the opportunity to interact with SofM and the talented players from VCS. Not to mention, prior to this, VKE had already made an impression with their unique roster announcements, garnering much interest and admiration from the audience.
VKE is expected to bring a new breeze to the VCS. With SofM’s expertise and the experience of the core members, VKE is believed to make the VCS even more exciting in the near future.
Here are some other images from the event:
The VCS Spring 2024 season will officially kick off on January 20, 2024.