Middle Eastern esports organisation NASR Esports has announced the acquisition of Turkish team Royal Youth.
As a result of the deal, Royal Youth will be rebranded to NASR Esports Türkiye ahead of the upcoming Turkish League of Legends Championship (TCL) 2021 season.
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The day-to-day operations of NASR’s new team will continue to be run by Royal Youth’s management, according to the release. However, the organisation will provide ‘strategic, financial and management support’.
Lalit Vase, NASR Esports’ Club Director stated: “In 2020, we took the time to reflect on where we are and where we see ourselves in the future — which is to maintain our position as the most successful esports organisation in the region and expand our footprint globally.
“In line with our ambition to grow, we have taken the strategic step of expanding into Turkey with the acquisition of one of Turkey’s best-known teams, Royal Youth.”
Royal Youth first emerged in 2018 and soon took the Turkish scene by storm. The organisation finished third in the TCL 2019 Winter Split and won the 2019 TCL Summer Finals. Following its World Championship appearance in the same year, Royal Youth failed to continue its domestic success by finishing eighth and tenth in 2020.
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In the organisation’s press release, NASR has cited that the acquisition looks to ‘open the door’ for some of Turkey’s emerging esports players and content creators. NASR will also look to use its ties in MENA to provide more opportunities for up and coming talent in the region.
Vase added: “This acquisition will also give MENA League of legends talent a route to showcasing their talent on a global stage.
“NASR ESPORTS will shortly start recruiting more young talent from the MENA region to give them a chance to work with the teams playing in the TCL and have the chance to learn and develop with them.”
With the TCL 2021 season commencing this month, NASR Esports Türkiye has also announced its League of Legends team for the upcoming split.
Esports Insider says: NASR Esports’ acquisition of Royal Youth shows a real sign of intent from the organisation, as it looks to strengthen its reach both in MENA and globally. Moreover with greater financial support, the rebranded Turkish team should be in a much more stable condition than in 2020, which will also benefit Turkey’s League of Legends competitive ecosystem.