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

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

Before the pandemic, gaming parlours and competitions had begun
pulling in large crowds and the parlours were even lauded as one of the more
profitable businesses for budding entrepreneurs. It was through this that the
E-Sports Federation of Kenya was formed. The competitions themselves brought to
light a new form of income for the youth and players like Queen Arrow
represented the country in more than one international competition.

In terms of returns, the gaming parlours provided a lot of
young people a better way to spend their time other than being involved in
vices and other unnecessary habits. They also got to earn, well not all of
them, the winners only – I don’t think participation trophies count when you
lose 5 – 0 in FIFA. By 2021 the financial projections claimed that the industry
would be worth over 50 million Kenya shillings.On today’s show, we speak with the Head of
E-Sports at Jiwe Sports Eugene Mweri. He is also a mental health advocate and a
broadcast journalist. We look at how the scene has evolved in the past few
years, the Tusker nexters and other E-Sport competitions as well as get to know
other projects he has been involved in.FEATURED MUSIC 1. Mmmh mmh - Maandy2. Sirudi home - Maandy, Breeder LW3. Wena - Thayu Mwas4. Moment - Xtatic5. Githambutha - Ayrosh, Xtatic6. Ere Yo - Akoth Jumadi7. Kama Kawaida - The Squad; Fena, Mayonde, Muthoni DQ, Kagwe Mungai8. Balance - Jason Kalinga9. Love, Respect, Repeat - Ayrosh, Ythera Music10. Usiache Akemewe - Khaliraph Jones11. Aki Wewe - Kwame Rigii12. Tropkos Riddim - Xprso, Chevy Kev, Mars Maasai, Mr lu, Baby's Breath, Sookie13. Mapema Ndo Best - Fatboy Gwash, K4Kanali14. Kesho Kutwa - Ethan Muziki15. Properly - Nyashinski, FemioneLinks - 

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