Reward Steven Nyamwasa will lead Rwanda’s four-player staff on the SportsBiz Africa (SBA) Esports Cup after profitable the nationwide EA SPORTS FC 26 championship at BK Area on Sunday, August 23.
Nyamwasa defeated Sami Muhamedssin Mohamednour Atta 4-2 within the closing to say the Rwf1 million high prize and safe his place on the continental championship, which will likely be held in Kigali from September 12-13.
Atta, Tresor Irasubiza and Franklin Gacinya additionally earned tickets to the continental event after reaching the semi-finals.
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The nationwide event attracted 20 gamers, with the sector diminished by way of knockout rounds to eight quarter-finalists after which 4 semi-finalists. All 4 semi-finalists, no matter their closing positions, secured Rwanda’s qualifying spots for the continental competitors.
The second version of the SBA Esports Cup is predicted to convey collectively 32 gamers from Rwanda, Kenya, South Africa, Madagascar, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt and Morocco. The continental EA SPORTS FC event will function a US$10,000 prize pool.
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For Nyamwasa, the qualification gives a chance to enhance on his fourth-place end ultimately 12 months’s event, when he was Rwanda’s sole consultant.
“Final time I went alone, now I’m going with 4 companions, and I imagine they’re going to do higher,” Nyamwasa mentioned.
He mentioned competing internationally for the primary time final 12 months offered worthwhile expertise and that he expects to be higher ready this time round.
“I’m trying ahead to it. I’m not going to vow a particular place, however I’m going to provide my greatest, give my all to current Rwanda in one of the best ways doable.”
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Atta, Irasubiza and Gacinya additionally earned prize cash, receiving Rwf500,000, Rwf300,000 and Rwf200,000 respectively, along with securing qualification for the continental event.
Gacinya mentioned representing Rwanda was a supply of satisfaction and a chance to boost the nation’s profile in esports. He plans to arrange by way of common on-line and offline observe, together with coaching with associates at an esports gaming room at his college.
SportsBiz Africa mission lead Bridget Mutoni mentioned the competitors goals to provide African avid gamers better publicity whereas highlighting alternatives past aggressive gaming.
“Esports and gaming have turn into an enormous trade,” Mutoni mentioned, pointing to alternatives in occasion organisation, commentary, refereeing, sport improvement and schooling.
Nyamwasa, nevertheless, believes Rwanda’s esports ecosystem nonetheless wants better funding and extra common competitions. He mentioned he had participated in solely three tournaments over the previous 12 months, in contrast with nations the place gamers can compete virtually each month.
“We want investments, we want folks to belief within the skills that now we have,” he mentioned.
