The Esports Association of Malawi (EAM) has been nominated for the Association of the Year category at the Malawi Sport Awards 2025. The prestigious ceremony will take place on Saturday, 28th February 2026, at the Sunbird Livingstonia International Conference Centre in Salima.
A Landmark Moment for Malawi Esports
This marks the Association’s first-ever nomination since its official recognition in 2024 as the governing body for esports by the Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS). It is a significant milestone that reflects the remarkable progress esports has made in Malawi within a short period.
The nomination signals growing confidence in esports as a structured, competitive, and impactful sporting discipline in the country.
The nomination is a well-deserved recognition of the Association’s impactful work throughout the year. Among its key achievements, EAM hosted local qualifiers for the Region 5 Youth Games and went on to participate in the 11th edition of the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Youth Games in Windhoek, Namibia.
Team Malawi delivered an outstanding performance, winning two gold medals in eFootball in both the male and female categories — a historic achievement that elevated the country’s profile in regional esports competition.
In addition, EAM co-hosted CyberExpoX 2025 — Malawi’s first-ever premier gaming, tech, and music convention — held at the Alliance Française de Blantyre on November 29, 2025.
The groundbreaking event brought together esports athletes, cosplayers, technologists, 3D artists, game developers, and music enthusiasts, creating a dynamic platform that celebrated digital creativity, innovation, and youth expression.
The Association also organized local qualifiers for the African eFootball Mobile Championship and represented Malawi at the African Confederation of Electronic Sports (ACES) Championship in Casablanca, Morocco, in 2026. During the same period, EAM attended the ACES General Assembly (AGM), further strengthening Malawi’s presence within the continental esports community and reinforcing strategic partnerships across Africa.
Building a Sustainable Esports Ecosystem
Over the past few years, the Esports Association of Malawi has worked tirelessly to structure, promote, and professionalize competitive gaming across the country. What was once viewed as casual entertainment has evolved into a thriving competitive ecosystem featuring organized tournaments, talent identification programs, and international representation.
From grassroots gaming hubs in Blantyre and Lilongwe to national competitions attracting hundreds of young players, EAM has built a solid foundation that provides Malawian gamers with a legitimate pathway to compete locally, regionally, and globally.
Esports Takes Centre Stage
This nomination underscores the rapid growth of the esports industry and its immense potential to empower young people while creating sustainable economic opportunities. Being shortlisted alongside long-established sports bodies signals that esports is no longer on the sidelines — it now stands firmly on the main stage of Malawi’s sporting conversation.
A Defining Moment for the Future
If successful, this recognition would mark a defining moment not only for the Esports Association of Malawi but for every gamer who has long believed that competitive gaming deserves acknowledgment as a legitimate sport. Regardless of the outcome, the nomination alone cements one truth: esports in Malawi has arrived — and it is here to stay.
Beyond the accolade, this recognition is expected to attract increased corporate interest, foster strategic partnerships, and broaden audience engagement — further fueling confidence in the future of gaming, innovation, and digital sport in Malawi.
Organizers
Organized and hosted by the Malawi National Council of Sports, the Malawi Sport Awards is the country’s biggest annual sports gala, dedicated to recognizing and celebrating excellence across various sporting disciplines. Since its inception in 2017, the awards have honored Malawi’s sporting heroes who continue to inspire and entertain the nation.