National Council of Sports Chairman Donald Rukare says that Ugandans should use this pandemic period to embrace the emergency of Electronic Sports.

ESports is a form of sport competition using video games. It often takes the form of organised competitions and leagues played between professional players or teams.

ESports has recently arrived in Uganda but its a fast growing industry in other parts of the World especially in North America, Asia and Europe.

“It is clear that e-Sports is going to be part of our new normal we need to purposefully embrace it going forward,” he wrote in Daily Monitor.

He talked about the need to work on putting in place an ESports regulatory framework to guide the industry.

“We need to enhance awareness about ESports through formation of clubs and teams; and to improve internet access and speeds at reasonable costs.”

Rukare lauded Uganda Chess Federation who have already supported the cause.

This week, the Chess body has called on all participants to take part in an “Online Chess Olympiad” which begin this Sunday, July 12 at 9:00am.

He also highlighted on a number of challenges that may hinder the development of ESports in Uganda:

“But there are challenges. This is a relatively new area and as a result we do not have a regulatory framework to guide the operation of ESports.

“In addition we have intermittent electricity cuts and the internet costs, access, reliability and speeds need to be improved if our e-gamers are to get the most from it. The cost of gaming equipment is also a barrier for players. For example, the new PlayStation 5 goes for $500 (about Shs3m).”