Pro gamer set to jet off to LA

2:33pm Tuesday 3rd June 2008

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A professional computer game player from Watford is set to represent his country at a tournament in Los Angeles.

Michael Barrett, 18, has been reselected by the Birmingham Salvo team for the forthcoming season and will cross the Atlantic to play in the UK Championships against the only other British team, which is based in London.

If victorious, the Salvo will compete in the second season of the Championship Gaming Series, where they will take on the best game players from around the world for a prize worth £500,000.

Recently, Michael also took part in an eight-a-side football match at the Emirates Stadium, home to Arsenal football club.

Michael O'Dell, the manager of Birmingham Salvo, said: "I had to select five players from ten. I made sweat by leaving him until last but I was always going to pick him. He's such a character.

"We've got stronger team than last time, when we came third. If we beat the London team, we're in the World Championships. If we lose, we go into a play-off for the last remaining place. We could be in LA for two weeks or six weeks."

Michael, who plays the Fifa football game, and the rest of the Birmingham Salvo squad will fly to Los Angeles on June 24. The Championship Game Series, starting on July 29, will be shown on television channels including Sky One and Eurosport.

For more information, visit www.cgs.com.