Team Spirit, TSM Dota 2 Teams to Donate Dubai 2022 Earnings to Ukraine Relief

Following their exits from the Gamers Galaxy: Dota 2 Invitational Series Dubai 2022, the largest-ever esports tournament in the MENA (Middle East North Africa) region, Russia's Team Spirit and North America's TSM are set to donate a total of approximately $38,155 to relief efforts for Ukraine.

TSM and their Dota 2 team contributed $16,350 in donations to the CARE Ukraine Crisis Fund, the organization announced Friday. TSM's Dota 2 team reportedly expressed the desire to donate its tournament winnings to relief for the people of Ukraine. TSM decided to match their contribution.

Prior to the start of Invitational Series Dubai, Team Spirit announced that they would donate all of their prize money to the International Red Cross Movement.

Team Spirit, TSM Dota 2 Teams to Donate Invitational Series Dubai 2022 Earnings to Ukraine Relief Efforts

"I’ve been in Ukraine multiple times because of Dota events and the people there are nothing short of amazing," TSM Dota 2 captain David "MoonMeander" Tan Boon Yang said on Twitter. "Their resilience during these testing times are truly inspirational and we as a Dota team wanted to show our support. Slava Ukraini."

On March 2, TSM fell to Team Secret in the Play-In stage of the Invitational Series Dubai event, ending their tournament run tied for seventh and eighth to receive 30,000 AED (about $8,176).

According to CARE’s website, support for their Ukraine Crisis Fund helps to reach four million people with immediate aid and recovery, food, water, hygiene kits, psychosocial support and cash assistance — prioritizing women and girls, families and the elderly.

"I wouldn't be able to do what I do if it wasn't for the prosperity and peace that I was surrounded by my entire life," TSM's Jonáš "SabeRLight-" Volek said on Twitter. "Prosperity and peace that everyone deserves. I stand for Ukraine. I stand for Peace."

TSM is not the only esports organization looking to provide aid to Ukraine after competing in Invitational Series Dubai, however.

Donning white t-shirts with the word "PEACE" on stage, Team Spirit finished fourth to earn 80,000 AED ($21,803). While competing with Vladimir "RodjER" Nikogosian as a sub for Miroslaw "Mira" Kolpakov, a Ukrainian player unable to compete in the tournament, Team Spirit fell in the lower bracket of the Playoffs to BOOM Esports Saturday.

According to the International Committee of the Red Cross' (ICRC) website, support for its Ukraine Crisis fund helps to address humanitarian needs — food, water, shelter, health care and psychological support.