Inaugural Elephant Cup Esports Tournament Unites Kenyan & Chinese Youth
Esports Kenya Federation, in collaboration with the Kenya Overseas Chinese Association and the Chinese Embassy in Kenya, sponsored the inaugural “Elephant Cup” Honor of Kings Esports Invitational Tournament, held alongside the 2026 Nairobi Youth Digital Entertainment Festival.
Centered on the theme “Esports Connects the World, Youth Creates the Future,” the two-day festival brought together Chinese and Kenyan youth to foster mutual understanding, showcase competitive skills, and explore expanding career pathways in the digital economy.
The tournament served as a significant milestone for East Africa’s rapidly growing gaming ecosystem. It attracted 200 players across 40 registered teams, with over 300 participants involved in gaming and cosplay sessions, competing in Honor of Kings, the mobile multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game developed by Chinese tech firm Tencent.
For local competitors, the Elephant Cup provided a vital platform to demonstrate their skills and gain international visibility. Local team leaders noted that mobile esports have made competitive gaming far more accessible across Africa, as smartphones eliminate the need for costly PC or console setups. To sustain this growth, Kylin Esports has established a dedicated gaming hub at Zarafa Suites in Kilimani, Nairobi, offering local teams structured facilities to train and transition from casual gaming into professional careers.
Beyond digital competition, the festival showcased Chinese heritage and folklore through a dedicated cosplay exhibition. Kenyan youth brought to life iconic historical and mythological figures featured in Honor of Kings on stage.
Yang Min, President of the Kenya Chinese Youth Association, said: “Esports has become a universal language among young people worldwide. Through Honor of Kings, Chinese and Kenyan youth have connected through shared interests. The game’s depiction of Chinese mythological and historical figures allows young people to discover and experience Chinese culture in a natural and engaging way.“
Distinguished guests and industry stakeholders emphasized that esports extends beyond mere entertainment. Hon. Zhang Zhizhong, Minister Counselor at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Kenya, served as guest of honor and noted that high-quality games can serve as innovative mediums for cultural heritage and language learning.
With over 11 million young Kenyans engaging in video games, Ronny Lusigi, President of the Esports Kenya Federation, highlighted the broader economic impact:”Esports is no longer just about gaming; it is a global industry creating careers, businesses, and new opportunities.”Â
