eSports Host Of The Year 2020 – Sjokz

Eefje Depoortere aka Sjokz is the current host of the League of Legends Championship. She has been a part of the esports scene since 2012 and has become one of the most recognizable names in esports. Sjokz recently gave a heart melting speech after she was awarded the Esports Host of the Year 2020.

Sjokz speech might sound bitter and angry but it’s not. She shares and explains the treatment for women in esports, explaining why she has the right to be angry. She sounded very professional when she made her speech.

If you’re a woman in an esports community or streaming, many expect you to do more, and sometimes they judge you too quickly. People think that female streamers are only famous because of their looks and how they treat their viewers and not for their talents and dedication to stream. It doesn’t matter to them if you are good at what you’re doing, they just think that you’re pretty, and that’s the only reason people are following you.

Sjkoz shared her thoughts about that issue in her speech. She said; “There are always people that say ‘You only made it because you’re a woman’ or ‘You only got this because you’re a girl’ and ‘you only got this because you post bikini pictures and all that shit. The fact is that’s just not true! I’m awesome! I work my ass off and it’s sometimes very difficult! I speak five languages! I have two master’s degrees. I have built a career as a pioneer in this industry for the past ten years.”

It must be frustrating and also a shame when women are feeling this kind of treatment in the esports community. It’s a community for all, not for guys only. Sjokz made her speech to let others know the feelings of other women and to raise awareness that women are actually part of the community. They must not be judged and should be treated as part of the community.

She ended her speech by saying that she deserves the award and that she often finds it hard to speak in public. She’s been afraid to make a stand before and comment about the issue because she’s afraid of the backslash but now she isn’t afraid anymore and she’s proudly saying that she deserves the title, that she’s a girl and that she won the title.

Women shouldn’t have to feel this way, not only in esports. They deserve to feel included and to be thought of as an equal of men. Being successful is something that women should be proud of and they shouldn’t be afraid of the backslash or hateful comments. Sjokz’s speech was heart touching. She deserves the title and we’re glad that she is being recognized for her work.