THE man at the centre of an outcry among cyber-warriors over who gets to battle it out in a gaming series leading to the world championship has resigned.

Following investigations by the American organisers over allegations of favouritism in team selection, Mr Chris Soh immediately resigned yesterday as manager of the Singapore team.

A new manager, as well as the final team list, will be announced soon, according to the website of the United States- based Championship Gaming Series (CGS).

Mr Steven Yong, CGS' director of Asia operations, who originally appointed Mr Soh, is interim team manager.

CGS is American media giant News Corporation's new global professional gaming league with US$5 million (S$7.5 million) worth of prize money and contracts at stake.

The Singapore team will be playing in a regional contest in Kuala Lumpur next month, and the four top teams there will compete at the professional level in the world championship. Its venue has not been announced.

The furore began when the well-watched Singapore qualifiers ended on Sunday with the controversial Singapore team selection.

Instead of choosing from winners Team Titans which played Counter-strike, Mr Soh decided on members from XTC, the overall runners-up.

He also chose the runner-up of the Dead Or Alive 4 ladies competition and a semi-finalist over the winner of the Fifa Soccer 2007 contest to join the team.

The cyber-gaming community cried foul, with netizens alluding to Mr Soh's links with XTC.

XTC is sponsored by the Singapore Gamers' Association (SGA), of which Mr Soh is a founder and president.

If the 10-man Singapore team gets into the top four at the Pan-Asian competition in Kuala Lumpur next month, each player will win a US$30,000 annual contract while the team manager will get US$50,000.

Neither Mr Soh nor Mr Yong would say if pressure was put on Mr Soh to quit.

But Mr Soh said: 'This is in the best interest of everyone.' He added that he would give his side of the story soon.

He also said his work at SGA was voluntary and he has not been drawing a salary.

'When I was considering the team manager's post, I had already said to gamers that I would contribute the full US$50,000 to SGA's sponsorship of gamers who want to play regionally.'

Gamers here lauded the swift resolution of the issue.

Mr Prasad Paramajothi, 22, captain of the Titans, said: 'It's fantastic. They listened to what gamers had to say, and took swift and decisive action. I hope the organisers will pick the new team based on merit.'

The news was bitter sweet for Mr Mohamed Phirkhan, 18, the semi-finalist in the Fifa Soccer 2007 CGS qualifiers, who was chosen over winner Marcus Choy, 22.

'It's hard to accept I might lose my seat after gaining it.' He added: 'But if it goes to my clan-mate and buddy, I'm happy for him.'

ginlee@sph.com.sg