Gamer ladies levelling up as UK duo dominate at prime esports event
Grete Lajal and Mariam Musa, both 30, are among trailblazers carving out a name for themselves in esports, often seen as a ‘staunch boys’ club’
Gamer women are levelling up as they overcome tough challenges to break down barriers and achieve success in the world of esports – a traditionally male-dominated space.
Londoners Grete Lajal and Mariam Musa, both 30, are among the trailblazers, carving out a name for themselves in what has often been seen as a staunch boys’ club.
The pair’s recent victory in the UK’s first Women’s Esports initiative, a partnership between Sky Broadband and Guild Esports and Gaming, highlights the opportunities emerging for women.
And their success is testament to the growing impact women are having in esports.
The competition saw 15 finalists share a £50,000 prize pool, with the top two, Grete and Mariam, securing professional contracts.
And it comes not a moment too soon; research shows a mere 5% of pro-gamers in the UK are women despite making up almost half (47%) of gamers in the country.
Mariam, who streams under the name Futheda on the gaming platform Twitch, made her mark by winning the Football Eseries after bossing the field in EA Sports FC 25.
Reflecting on her journey, she admitted there were initial hesitations entering competitive gaming.
She said: “I was nervous to enter tournaments in person because I thought they’d say ‘oh I didn’t think you were a girl’, and would not take me seriously.”
But after seeing success in her first tournament, Mariam gained confidence and encouragement to continue and sign up for more.
Despite the progress, she acknowledged the challenges. “It’s hard being a woman and a person of colour in gaming,” Mariam said.
“The comments and negativity can be tough, especially when you’re streaming and showing your face.
“But you have to focus on your game, ignore the comments and not let them get to you.”
For her, creating a more welcoming and supportive environment for women in esports is key to long-term change.
Grete, on the other hand, is new to esports.
But she may have unearthed a latent talent for racing after topping the podium to win the Racers Eseries, a sim racing-based competition.
Explaining that her family have been involved in motor sports, while her brother is a tennis player, she said: “I think that’s where I got my competitive side.
“I did have some influence from my partner, because he has experience with real life racing and also sim racing.
“So he was a really good support for me in preparation for the finals after I had qualified.
“Within our group, there were women similar to me that just stepped into it from the street.
“They were invited in and just gave it a go, and within those six months leading up to it they put all the effort in to train for the finals.”
Both Grete and Mariam hope to see more women-only competitions in the future.
“It’s about representation and inspiring women who might never have thought about competing before,” Grete said.
These two are already helping on that front, as they play their part in changing the game for the next generation of women esports players.
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