Zimbabwean schools invited to compete for place at global esports finals

HARARE - Zimbabwean schools have been invited to register for EGAMES, a new international esports competition that will give learners an opportunity to compete for a place at the inaugural world finals scheduled for Dubai in April 2027.

The competition, described as the first global esports tournament open to all categories of schools, will see students compete in EA SPORTS FC 27, Rocket League and a Minecraft build challenge.

The Zimbabwe Electronics Games Association (ZEGA), the national esports governing body registered with the Sports and Recreation Commission, will organise local qualifying tournaments to determine the country's representatives at the international finals.

The live finals are scheduled to take place at the GEMS School of Research and Innovation in Dubai from April 16 to 18, 2027.

Schools across Zimbabwe, including government, mission, private and independent institutions, have been encouraged to register for the competition through the EGAMES website.

The initiative has been co-created by Varkey Group and the British Esports Federation, with support from various national esports federations and educational institutions around the world.

According to organisers, EGAMES aims to use competitive gaming as a platform to promote teamwork, critical thinking, communication skills and digital literacy among learners.

The Zimbabwe Electronics Games Association joins 13 other national esports federations that have committed to supporting the inaugural tournament.

The organisers say the competition goes beyond gaming by helping learners develop future-ready skills and exposing them to opportunities in technology, innovation and the digital economy.

Sunny Varkey, chairman and founder of Varkey Group and GEMS Education, encouraged Zimbabwean schools to take part in the initiative.

"I would encourage schools across Zimbabwe to register for this tournament and give their students the chance to develop their skills, showcase their creativity and compete on a global stage. Zimbabwe has an extraordinary wealth of young creative and digital talent, and we want to help nurture that potential," said Varkey.

"Our aim is to bring young people from around the world together, giving them the opportunity to learn, connect, create, compete and lead."

British Esports Federation president Chester King said the competition was designed to build global participation in school esports.

"It is important to have competitions that create role models and heroes who inspire healthy competition. We now want to develop and encourage global competition between countries," he said.

The competition comes at a time when interest in esports continues to grow globally and within Zimbabwe.

A recent study cited by organisers found that 80 percent of respondents surveyed in Zimbabwe expressed interest in esports, while 40 percent said they were very interested.

In addition to medals and trophies, participating schools and students will have an opportunity to win scholarships, esports experiences and new hardware for their school facilities.

Alongside the finals, organisers also plan to host an international education summit focusing on esports education, artificial intelligence, digital skills, safeguarding, coaching and future technologies.

Zimbabwean schools interested in participating can register through the EGAMES platform ahead of the national qualifying tournament.