E20K PER MONTH FOR ESPORTS PLAYERS

MBABANE – The Eswatini Esports Association (established in 2022) recently unveiled the introduction of the Eswatini eSports League (EEL), promising monthly remuneration for participants.

Mbuso Dlamini, Head of Development at the Eswatini eSports Association (EEA), described this pioneering endeavour as a significant step towards professionalising the nation’s eSports industry. Dlamini revealed that elite players will receive a monthly salary of E20 000, categorised as tier-one players. Additionally, tier-two players, rated as very good, will take home E10 000 per month. Tier-three players, rated as satisfactory, will earn E7 000.

This development underscores the potential for esports players to earn more than some Eswatini Premier League (EPL) players, with even the highest-paid not exceeding E20 000, while the lowest paid earns about E1 500. Dlamini emphasised that the players’ monthly earnings would be determined through negotiations based on matches played and won. Prior to the league’s commencement, a series of games will be held to assess and categorise the players into the three -tiers, following which contract negotiations will be initiated.
The league is set to commence in October and conclude in February. The league winner will receive E50 000; the runner-up E30 000; and the third-placed will pocket E20 000. According to esports worldwide, recognising the burgeoning global esports market projected to reach approximately E30 billion by 2024, the EEL aims to cultivate a thriving esports scene in Eswatini.

Operating as a semi-professional league, the EEL will provide a platform for aspiring esports athletes to refine their skills and compete at a high level. Notably, the league will feature a unique doubles format, fostering strategic teamwork and collaboration between teammates. The inaugural season will feature a focused six-team league, ensuring a competitive and exhilarating environment, with room for strategic growth in the future.

Meanwhile, Soufiane El Filali, Executive Director of the African Confederation of Digital Sports (ACDS), lauded this initiative as a significant step towards professionalising eSports in the region, aiming to create a more competitive and sustainable eSports environment by providing stable income to attract and retain top talent. “By offering a stable income, the federation aims to attract and retain top talent, fostering a more competitive and sustainable esports environment. The African Confederation of Digital Sports (ACDS) is proud to stand behind this initiative, recognising it as a crucial development for the future of esports in Africa.”

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