Kenya to Host Second Edition of Phygital Rivals Tournament in Nairobi
The tournament will promote local talents while positioning Kenya as a leading nation in marrying digital innovations with athletic performances.
Kenya to Host Second Phygital Rivals Tournament in November. Photo/courtesy
By Ruth Sang
The country is set to further cement its status as a pioneer in merging traditional sports with the rapidly growing world of esports as it hosts the second edition of the Phygital Rivals tournament next month.
The event, christened Phygital Rivals: Kenya, Phygital Football, will be held on November 23 at the Arena 5 Astroturf, Jamhuri Primary School, Nairobi. Sixteen elite teams from various parts of the country will compete, looking to garner ranking points towards qualification into the prestigious 2026 Games of the Future that Astana, Kazakhstan will host.
Phygital sport is a new idea that merges physical and digital competition. Traditional athletic performance meets virtual gaming in this innovative concept. Each contest in the football category involves a five-a-side football match and an esports component on a gaming console. The final score is determined by combining results from both stages, making this a true test of both physical skill and digital strategy.
In February, Kenya successfully hosted its maiden Phygital Rivals tournament at the Uhuru Sports Complex, where Isaa Team from Kajiado County emerged the winner. This brought them national glory and a slot at the Phygital Contenders: Abu Dhabi championship in July, where they reached the quarterfinals—a feat that considerably raised Kenya’s profile internationally in the emerging sport.
Speaking ahead of the upcoming tournament, World Phygital Community Chairperson Dan Merkley hailed Kenya’s growing involvement in the sport, saying that the country is turning out to be a wellspring of creativity and competition.
“This event will showcase the passion, talent, and innovation that make the phygital movement so groundbreaking,” said Merkley. “It is about bringing together communities who enjoy playing, competing, and connecting-on the field and through gaming.”
Esports Kenya Federation President Ronny Lusigi concurred with the embracement of the phygital model, adding that it is the perfect balance between modern technology and physical fitness.
“We are living in an increasingly digital world, but we must not forget the importance of maintaining physical activity,” said Lusigi. “That is what makes phygital sports unique because it keeps us active while engaging our digital skills. We are all phygital.” Hundreds are expected to attend the event, including spectators, gamers, and sports enthusiasts who are eager to witness the growth of competitive sports in the Kenyan space. According to the organizers, the tournament will promote local talents while positioning Kenya as a leading nation in marrying digital innovations with athletic performances, an emerging frontier that continues to redefine global sports culture.
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