We had the pleasure of speaking with Hosam “ScorpDota” Zaarour, one of the most prominent Syrian and Arab talents in the esports scene, who has proven his skill and excellence in Dota and its global competitive arena.
His team, Syrian Dream, achieved strong results in major tournaments, including first place at Ooredoo Arena and WinOrDieTour, second place finishes in several major competitions such as Mena Cup and Four04 Esports, and third place at ESL Meisterschaft 2021 in Germany. The team’s estimated total earnings from these events reached approximately $30,000.
We sat down with Hussam to discuss his achievements, challenges, the story behind his distinctive nickname, his journey in esports, and more.
Welcome Hussam, and thank you for joining us. To start, when was the first moment you decided to pursue esports professionally?
The defining moment was when I won my first local tournament in Syria. It was during the early days of modest Dota 1 competitions held in small internet cafés. Despite their limited scale, those tournaments ignited my passion for excellence and creativity. That victory marked the true beginning of my professional journey. From then on, I committed myself to continuous learning and hard work to refine my Dota skills and reach where I am today.
You’re often referred to as the “Godfather of Dota” in Syria. When did you realize your role would go beyond being just a player to becoming a leader who develops others?
While fully immersed in the European competitive scene, I noticed extraordinary raw talent among some Syrian players. At that moment, I realized my role extended beyond competing professionally—it included mentoring and guiding them toward the right path.
I decided to transfer the experience I gained in Europe to our local scene through structured and intensive team-based training. The real result of that effort was the development of several standout players, culminating in the creation of Syrian Dream—the first Syrian team aspiring to compete globally.
“ScorpDota” is a unique nickname. How did you choose it?
The name goes back to my early days playing the hero Sand King, whom I used to call “The Scorpion” because of how much I loved his playstyle and relied on him. Over time, friends and fellow players started calling me by that nickname, and it became part of my in-game identity.
Later, as my global ranking improved, I formalized the name into “ScorpDota” to serve as my professional brand and represent my ambitions in esports.
When you founded Syrian Dream, what were the first three criteria you set for selecting players?
At the beginning, the team went through a trial-and-error phase focused on learning from failures and growing gradually. Over nearly ten years—with many roster changes—I identified three key criteria:
- Competitive Rank: In-game ranking as an initial indicator of skill and commitment.
- Mental Stability: The ability to manage pressure and handle competitive ups and downs with composure.
- Coachability: A flexible mindset willing to accept direct and honest criticism, understanding that confronting weaknesses is the fastest way to improve both individually and as a team.
What were the toughest challenges you faced building a team in Syria?
We faced layered challenges, starting with the absence of official support and sponsorship at both local and regional levels, and extending to financial burdens. We had to personally cover high costs to secure proper training environments with stable internet connections.
However, the greatest challenge was gaining competitive recognition. Syrian teams were often excluded from many Arab tournaments, forcing us to work twice as hard to prove we deserved a place.
Through persistence and exceptional results, Syrian Dream established itself as one of the strongest teams in the region. Eventually, instead of chasing invitations, international organizations began sending us official invitations to represent Syria as a leading competitive team.
Do you believe Dota is one of the most difficult esports titles to master professionally?
Yes. Dota 2 is structurally and technically one of the most complex esports titles. Mastering it requires not only mechanical skill but also a deep understanding of an intricate ecosystem featuring over 120 heroes and thousands of ability interactions, along with environmental variables like terrain and the day-night cycle.
The skill gap is enormous. Data shows that the Immortal rank represents roughly 2% of players, while international professionals account for around 0.1%. Players must constantly balance precise execution with macro-level strategic resource management, all while handling sustained mental pressure.
This combination of complexity and knowledge depth makes Dota arguably one of the hardest competitive titles in esports.
Do you think growing interest in AI will negatively impact the future of Dota and esports?
I don’t see AI as a negative force—quite the opposite. I consider it a transformative tool for Dota 2 and esports in general. It can introduce unconventional strategies and advanced educational methods that help new players grasp complex systems more efficiently.
We’ve already seen historic AI matches against top human teams, even in early stages of the technology. While predicting the future is difficult, I expect AI teams may eventually reach levels that are extremely difficult to defeat. That would create a fascinating challenge for human players to push creativity and competition to unprecedented heights.
Is there a professional Dota player you consider a role model?
There are many professionals worthy of admiration, but I always make an effort to highlight Arab talent. Lebanese player Omar Al-Maghrebi (Nigma.OmaR) stands out as an exceptional example. He proved himself in a relatively short time and currently holds a very high global ranking.
The key lesson from Omar’s journey is his iron determination to succeed despite challenging circumstances, along with his ability to maintain a professional mindset regardless of setbacks or negative results.
We thank ScorpDota for his time and for sharing these valuable insights with us today.
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