The National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) has officially recognized the Kenya Electronic Sports Federation (KESF), marking a significant milestone for Esports in Kenya. This recognition coincides with KESF’s affiliation to their respective international federations, further elevating the profile of Esports within the Olympic Movement.
Speaking during a meeting with the national federation at NOC-K’s offices in Westlands, Nairobi, NOCK Secretary-General noted, “NOC-K welcomes Esports to the Olympic Family in Kenya and commits to working together with the federation to place athletes at the center, ensuring a strong showing at the Olympic Esports Games 2025 in Saudi Arabia.
The Federation’s organization, robust leadership structure, and inclusion of young administrators align well with the dynamic nature of the sport. The registration of 29 county associations and the Federation’s consistent activities over recent years demonstrate a clear commitment to developing the sport. Given the popularity of video gaming among our youth, this provides a unique opportunity to channel their passion into healthy competition, especially with IOC’s assurance that the selected games will adhere to Olympic Values.”
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) officially embraced Esports as part of the Olympic family on 23 July 2024, following a unanimous decision during an IOC session. The inaugural Olympic Esports Games is slated for 2025 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, signifying a transformative era for the sport on the global stage.
Kenya Esports Federation President, Ronny Lusigi, expressed his gratitude, stating, “The Olympic Esports Games is the best gift Esports could have asked for. This recognition significantly boosts the profile and legitimacy of our emerging sport. We appreciate NOC-K for this recognition and believe we can collaboratively prepare Kenya for an excellent performance at the inaugural Olympic Esports Games. Additionally, we look forward to participating in other NOC-K programs that focus on athlete empowerment and capacity building for administrators.”
In 2023, the IOC hosted the Olympic Esports Week, which included the Olympic Esports Week Forum, the finals of the Olympic Esports Series, and exhibition show matches. These events served as a testbed to explore the integration of Esports within the Olympic framework and to foster discussions about its place in the new digital era.
This recognition represents a significant milestone as Esports’ inclusion in the Olympic Movement has been a topic of intense debate. For a sport to gain official Olympic status, the Olympic Charter mandates governance by an international federation. However, Esports has traditionally relied on private game publishers, raising questions about governance and adherence to Olympic values. Concerns have also been raised about violent content in certain games, which conflicts with the principles of Olympism.
