When it comes to sports, the conversation is largely basedon football, basketball, tennis, formula 1 and other physically involvedactivities. Here in Kenya, track and field events have been the major sportingevents covered and appreciated by a large audience. Today we look at adifferent kind of sport, E-Sports.

According to the records, the first E-Sports competition washeld in 1972 at Stanford University. I would love to go on about all that wasinvolved but I’ll do you one better and add a link to the article once thisepisode is uploaded. After all, you’re here to hear about how the Kenyan sceneis.

Before the pandemic, gaming parlours and competitions had begunpulling in large crowds and the parlours were even lauded as one of the moreprofitable businesses for budding entrepreneurs. It was through this that theE-Sports Federation of Kenya was formed. The competitions themselves brought tolight a new form of income for the youth and players like Queen Arrowrepresented the country in more than one international competition.

In terms of returns, the gaming parlours provided a lot ofyoung people a better way to spend their time other than being involved invices and other unnecessary habits. They also got to earn, well not all ofthem, the winners only – I don’t think participation trophies count when youlose 5 – 0 in FIFA. By 2021 the financial projections claimed that the industrywould be worth over 50 million Kenya shillings.

On today’s show, we speak with the Head ofE-Sports at Jiwe Sports Eugene Mweri. He is also a mental health advocate and abroadcast journalist. We look at how the scene has evolved in the past fewyears, the Tusker nexters and other E-Sport competitions as well as get to knowother projects he has been involved in.

FEATURED MUSIC 

1. Mmmh mmh - Maandy

2. Sirudi home - Maandy, Breeder LW

3. Wena - Thayu Mwas

4. Moment - Xtatic

5. Githambutha - Ayrosh, Xtatic

6. Ere Yo - Akoth Jumadi

7. Kama Kawaida - The Squad; Fena, Mayonde, Muthoni DQ, Kagwe Mungai

8. Balance - Jason Kalinga

9. Love, Respect, Repeat - Ayrosh, Ythera Music

10. Usiache Akemewe - Khaliraph Jones

11. Aki Wewe - Kwame Rigii

12. Tropkos Riddim - Xprso, Chevy Kev, Mars Maasai, Mr lu, Baby's Breath, Sookie

13. Mapema Ndo Best - Fatboy Gwash, K4Kanali

14. Kesho Kutwa - Ethan Muziki

15. Properly - Nyashinski, Femione

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