The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has announced a partnership with the Asian Electronic Sports Federation (AESF) in relation to the management of the 2022 Asian Games’ esports programme in Hangzhou.
The ‘Road to Asian Games’ campaign for OCA’s 19th Asian Games was signed virtually by both parties in Kuwait, the headquarters of the OCA, and in Hong Kong, China, where AESF is based.
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Esports will make its debut as an official medal sport at the Asian Games in Hangzhou after being a demonstration sport at the 18th Games in 2018.
In total, there will be six medal events for Hangzhou 2022’s esports programme. AESF will select the titles and submit the list for approval by the OCA.
Husain Al-Musallam, General Director of the OCA commented: “It is a great pleasure to officially announce our partnership between OCA and AESF for the new esports programme for our Asian Games.
“OCA will provide full support for a successful esports event at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. We wish all the best to our partner AESF on the journey ahead.”
According to the release, AESF will organise and manage the regional qualifying competitions and the event itself at Hangzhou 2022, with the full support and authority of the OCA.
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The ‘Road to Asian Games’ campaign will also include educational aspects, sustainability and legacy projects, grassroots development, career pathways, health and well-being support, and a community outreach initiative known as the ‘AESF Experience Programme’.
Kenneth Fok, President of the AESF added: “I would like to express our sincere appreciation for the continuous support and trust from the OCA.
“I believe that the Asian Games presents the best stage for us to share the Olympic values with the esports community, and we aim to make our esports community develop further through this opportunity.
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Esports Insider says: This is a massive step towards esports being named as a potential Olympic sport in the future, and a great example of how it could integrate into more mainstream sports events. We hope that including esports at more mainstream sporting events continues to be a success.