Lilongwe resident Chiphengo Mchira was crowned national champion of Fifa Football after seeing-off competition from 50 contestants drawn from across the country.
Also known as Fifa Soccer, this is a series of association football video games which have become a major part of electronic gaming that has globally become a billion dollar industry.
Played in Lilongwe over the weekend, the tournament saw Mchira unbeaten in over 10 games. He pocketed K200 000 and a trophy.
“I am glad that I won it in style. I have been training hard because I was bitter that last year I was knocked out in my first game,” he said.
Playing as Italian Serie A side Juventus, the champion beat Precious Bakuwa in the final match. The runner-up got K100 000.
Another resident, Valachi Mtileni finished third to receive K50 000.
The tournament’s organising committee secretary Haroon Twalibu said they were impressed with the standard of play which “kept the patrons on their feet”.
He said they started organising the national championship after observing that the country has a lot of social players.
“We thought starting competitions like these will help the players to benefit financially and also socialise,” he said.
Twalibu said the local industry has potential to grow and produce players that can compete on the international stage.
“Most youths have embraced technological games and no longer play the traditional games. What they need, however, is exposure and that’s exactly what we are offering,” he said.
