Clive Thabo Dube
Sports Reporter
A new revenue base is protruding in the world of economics as the video gaming industry globally is growing rapidly.
Gaming has taken a new twist to become E-Sports that has replaced traditional mode of game-play.
Traditionally, growing up teenagers would lock themselves in their rooms and get stuck on joysticks and focus on screens for hours on end. Worldwide internet penetration numbers spiked as gaming became a huge market target for technology companies who have since taped in to the gaming market.
This lead to the birth of E-Gaming and E-sports which has become a revenue base for many individuals as they now earn a living by playing video sports games Online.
Gamers play online with other opponents across the world. Notable games are FIFA, Fort-nite, Far-cry, Mortal Kombat, Need for speed, Call of Duty, eFootball, Grand Theft Auto (GTA), MotoGP and League of Legends.
Zimbabwe is one country which saw its internet users grow significantly. Eventually in 2012, a group of gaming enthusiasts took their video gaming passion from the screens to form a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) called E-sports Zimbabwe.
The organization was founded by Thomas Arnold Phiri, Colin Zaina, Colin Webster, Mark John Wilson, Zibusiso Rodrick and Billet Moyo. The vision behind the formation of E-sports Zimbabwe is to spearhead the gaming industry of the country globally. The growing rate of Esports in the country can be credited to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The lack of decent gaming events in the country drove us to try to become the best gaming event organizers around. Our vision is to elevate esports and gaming activities locally, as well as place Zimbabwe on the global Esports map.” Said Thomas Arnold Phiri who is the executive director of the organization.
“Esports is undoubtedly a global phenomenon. But local communities still stand to benefit greatly if they can identify and promote their greatest assets, be it host facilities or willing sponsors. Economic reports are already proving that Esports has the power to drive exponentially a higher impact on a country’s revenue.” Added Phiri.
Those involved in Esports from developing countries, with their skills, they are able to earn monetary value through participating in tournaments sponsored by savvy investors. Albeit to the economic woes of the Sourthen Country, investors in the country are few.
The partners of Esports Zimbabwe include Africa Esports Championship formerly known as AEC, Steel Series, TechxHub, Techzim, Star FM, D Domain Media and Global Esports Federation.
Thomas Phiri said locals are now keen on taking up the sport. Phiri and his associates are on a mission to set the bar high and improve the country’s socio-economic challenges.
“Whilst many Zimbabweans are quite happy to play video games in a casual manner, there is a growing number of gamers in the nation. These individuals are taking things up to the next level by joining Esports competitions, Tournaments and Leagues. We looking forward to hosting a National Tournament with a bigger prize pool.
“We are slowly joining the elite, with more gamers signing up become Pro Gamers. By year end, Zimbabwe will be like Ghanaian Esports.” Said Phiri.
He said the organization holds a GAMERSFEST, an annual gaming tournament which is held in December to climax the local Esports calendar. Esports Zimbabwe also holds Online International friendlies with other countries.
In 2020, at the AfroCaribbean Friendly Challenge, Zimbabwe faced off against Barbados, and Austin Moyo performed outstandingly and raised the Zimbabwean flag high.
In the same year, Zimbabwe reached the quarterfinals at the Africa’s PUBG Mobile Esports Tournament and was represented by four teams namely eSports Zimbabwe, ESL_Zimbabw3, Flashy and Hawks. Six countries participated (Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Zimbabwe & Tanzanian).