Kenya’s Esports gets major recognition as NOC-K welcomes KESF to Olympic family

The National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) has officially recognized the Kenya Electronic Sports Federation (KESF), marking a significant milestone for Esports in the country.

This recognition highlights the growing importance of Esports both nationally and internationally, aligning with its inclusion in the Olympic Movement.

KESF’s commitment to developing Esports in Kenya is evident through the registration of 29 county associations and its ongoing activities.

This achievement comes at a crucial time for the federation, as it also aligns with its affiliation to several key international federations.

"NOC-K welcomes Esports to the Olympic Family in Kenya and is committed to working with the federation to ensure our athletes are at the center of this growth, particularly as we prepare for the Olympic Esports Games in 2025 in Saudi Arabia," remarked NOC-K Secretary-General Francis Mutuku during a meeting with the national federation at NOC-K’s Westlands offices in Nairobi.

Mutuku emphasized that KESF’s well-organized structure, dynamic leadership, and inclusion of young administrators are key factors that demonstrate the federation's readiness to drive the sport’s growth in Kenya.

Kenya Esports Federation President Ronny Lusigi expressed his gratitude for the recognition, calling it a pivotal moment for the sport in the country.

 “The Olympic Esports Games is the best gift Esports could have asked for. This recognition greatly enhances the legitimacy and profile of our emerging sport. We thank NOC-K for this acknowledgment and are excited to collaboratively prepare Kenya for an excellent performance at the inaugural Olympic Esports Games. We also look forward to participating in other NOC-K programs that focus on athlete empowerment and capacity building for administrators,” In Lusigi told Citizen Digital.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) officially welcomed Esports into the Olympic family on July 23, 2024, during an IOC session, paving the way for the first-ever Olympic Esports Games in 2025 in Saudi Arabia.

This development follows the success of the 2023 Olympic Esports Week, which featured events like the Olympic Esports Series finals and exhibition matches.

These events demonstrated the potential of integrating Esports into the Olympic framework and sparked discussions on how Esports can align with Olympic values.

The IOC has assured stakeholders that the selected Esports games will adhere to the principles of Olympism, ensuring that the sport embodies the core values of excellence, respect, and fair play.