AESF Welcomes IOC Plans to Create Olympic Esports Games

AESF welcomes the announcement made by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President, Mr. Thomas Bach, on the creation of Olympic Esports Games during his opening speech at the 141st IOC Session in Mumbai, India.

In his address, Mr. Bach stated, “There are 3 billion people playing Esports and gaming around the world. It is estimated that over 500 million of them are specifically interested in Esports, which includes virtual sports and sports simulations. What is more relevant to us is that the majority of them are under the age of 34.” Mr. Bach mentioned that the IOC has taken the strategic decision to engage with Esports in a holistic way and has chosen an approach to be active in the Esports space while staying true to Olympic values. 

The Olympic movement is embracing Esports in recent years, and the Asian Esports industry is leading the way. The major Asian multi-sports events, including the Asian Games and Southeast Asian Games, have included Esports as an official medal sport.

AESF actively promotes the further integration of Esports into the Olympics. At the AESF's 3rd Executive Board Meeting, AESF President Mr. Kenneth Fok, mentioned that AESF's mission is not solely focused on organizing Esports events but also on bringing the Esports community closer to the Olympic community and National Olympic Committees.

AESF has collaborated with publishers on the adaptation of popular mobile shooting game, such as PUBG Mobile, which was renamed as 'Peace Elite Asian Games Version,' as well as MOBA game, such as Arena of Valor, which was renamed as 'Arena of Valor Asian Games Version,' during the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou. Both of the adaptations have been made to comply with Olympic values, and the changes provide a good stage for athletes from various countries and regions to compete while also presenting the core values of sports, such as equality, respect, and fairness.

AESF has established the Publisher Commission for the first time, and we will continue to collaborate with publishers to further cooperate and deliberate on game adaptations that fully conform to Olympic values and the Olympic movement. AESF looks forward to cooperating with the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Committee (AINAGOC) for the upcoming 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, as Esports has been designated as one of the official medal sports.

AESF And APSF Partner To Advance Para Esports Development

Esports Officially Recognized As A Sport In India

In a major win for the Esports community in India, the Indian government has officially recognised Esports as one of the sports.
 
Esports will now fall under the purview of India’s Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports while the broader gaming industry will be governed by India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. The change clearly establishes Esports as a sport from the generally perceived category of gaming.
 
Esports’ inclusion in the multi-sports category by the Indian government also means that the recognised Esports tournaments might attain the same status as other offline sporting events in the country, like national-level tournaments.
 
Congratulating the Indian Esports community, Mr. Kenneth Fok, President of the AESF said, “Today is a great day for Esports enthusiasts - fans and athletes alike. The AESF is thrilled to wish a heartiest congratulations to the Indian Esports family. This is no mean feat which redefines the sport and allows a broader range of athletes to see themselves represented on a global stage.” 
 
“Under the exceptional leadership and support by the President of India, Hon’ble Smt. Droupadi Murmu ji and Prime Minister of India, Hon'ble Modi ji, I am sure this is just the beginning, and we would also like to convey our utmost excitement for the Indian Esports scene moving forward,” he added.
 
Reacting to the news, Lokesh Suji, Director, Esports Federation of India & Vice President of the Asian Esports Federation (AESF) said, "Great news for us to begin the New Year. We have been constantly working on establishing the difference between Esports and Gaming, and finally, our efforts have been fulfilled. We welcome this announcement by our government under the leadership of Hon'ble PM Modi ji, which will open new avenues to pour in more investment opportunities in this booming industry. From now onwards, we will have to build the proper infrastructure, training facilities and coaching for our young Esports athletes. Only a short time until we see Esports being placed in the same league as cricket, football, basketball, etc. and having similar fan power, scale and craze.”
 
Esports competed at the 2018 Asian Games as a demonstration sport, where Indian HearthStone athlete, Tirth Mihta, bagged a bronze medal. Esports will debut as an official medal sport at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou. 

The growth of esports in India – a short review of the main legal and regulatory challenges

Published Wednesday, 03 April 2019.

AESF And PAMESCO Forge Partnership To Advance Esports Worldwide

AESF Signs MoU with VIRESA For Esports Development

AESF Seals MoU with South Korea’s Game Ratings and Administration Committee (GRAC)

The Asian Electronic Sports Federation (AESF) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Games Ratings and Administration Committee of South Korea (GRAC) which will further bolster the preparations for esports at the AESF Game Title Selection Pool Program for future Esports events.