By Lwandile Hlekwayo
The emergence of esport in recent years has brought about a significant change in the world of sport.
Esport (electronic sports) is the playing of video games in a competitive and organised setting. Esports is mostly played in multiplayer video game competitions, where individuals or teams compete. Games are often in the form of the first-person shooter games, fighting, real-time strategy, sports and simulation.
Esport is on the rise in Durban, where there is a noticeable increase in gaming tournaments in the city. The emergence of esport as an official sport in South African Universities has shifted the focus of the gaming community from playing for pleasure to competing professionally.
Thando Sithole, a 19-year-old Durban University of Technology (DUT) student and esport player who started playing this year, said that his desire to advance his FIFA gaming abilities and eventually compete professionally motivated him to play.
“Esport players compete in various competitions where they can potentially win prizes, money and silverware. It enables you to socialise with others and gain a greater understanding of the game as you pick up a few tips and tricks that you wouldn’t have when playing alone,” he said.
Another player, 23-years old Mangosuthu University of Technology student, Sakhile Thabethe, said that esport is a mentally taxing sport. Juggling it with studies requires discipline, because it is easy to blur the lines between improving your game for competition and playing long hours for amusement.
However, one of the possible obstacles to its growth in the province and the country is the financial constraints.
DUT esport coach Ntokozo Radebe said that limited financial resources can lead to a shortage of opportunities for aspiring players.
“The price of gaming equipment and consoles affects the growth of the sport directly as most are expensive and the game is not as accessible as most people would like it to be. We at the DUT Esports Club provide our students with the opportunity to hone their gaming skills at no cost,” said Radebe.
This year’s University Sports South Africa Esports Championships, which will take place in August, will be hosted by the DUT.
