• ESPORTS

• Sportsbeat Correspondent 8 months ago

All set for East Africa Biggest E-Sports Tournament in Naivasha

All roads will lead to Naivasha come October 19 for the highly anticipated East Africa’s Biggest E-Sports Tournament, hosted by Rangers Kenya in collaboration with Kili Games Tanzania and Mombasa Cement.

Set to take place at the Rangers Gaming Station, the inaugural event has attracted over 100 gamers from across the region, including top Kenyan FIFA players like Joash Ogutu, popularly known as Jojo Depay, and Samuel Oyier alias Sam Cater.

Jojo Depay, one of Kenya’s highest-ranked FIFA players, is thrilled about the event.

“This is more than just a game—it’s a movement. The fact that we’re now seeing structured tournaments in East Africa shows how far we’ve come. E-sports is not just a hobby anymore; it’s a career path and a global business opportunity,” Ogutu said.

The event has a massive Ksh 280,000 prize pool, with the top winner set to walk away with Ksh 90,000. Other positions will also be rewarded:

• Position 2 – Ksh 50,000
• Position 3 – Ksh 30,000
• Position 4 – Ksh 20,000
• Positions 5 to 10 – Ksh 10,000 each
• Positions 11 to 16 – Ksh 5,000 each

Tournament Director Caroline Nyambura, famously known as Mama Selina, expressed her excitement about the event and her passion for e-sports. “Gaming is the heartbeat of the digital generation. I have always believed in offering a platform for youth to explore their talents beyond traditional sports. Preparations are going smoothly—we are fully set for Sunday.”

She also highlighted the importance of commercializing e-sports in Kenya. “The future is digital. Sports need to evolve, and e-sports is where the next revolution lies. With proper support, our young people can make a livelihood out of it.”

The tournament is supported by Mombasa Cement, Nilesh Gorasia, and Kili GameSpot Tanzania, with a registration fee of Ksh 1,500.

Speaking ahead of the event, Nilesh Gorasia, CEO of Rangers Gaming, reiterated his support for digital innovation. “The world is changing. E-sports is the future of youth engagement. That’s why we support initiatives like these that empower youth in a digital space.”

Rangers Gaming is a fast-growing e-sports hub in Naivasha, nurtured and supported by Baba Selina and Simo Rangers, who have played key roles in building the gaming culture in the region.

Rangers will field its’ own games including Moses Ndarwa (Lord 7), Jojo Depay (Joash Ogutu), Samuel Oyier (Sam CARTER) and Vincent Odinga (Chibu Rangers).

With top talents, attractive prizes, and a growing community, the tournament promises to be a game-changer for East Africa’s digital sports future.