The Global Esports Federation (GEF) has entered a strategic partnership with the European Olympic Committees (EOC) aiming to expand the development of esports across the continent.
The partnership forms part of the EOC’s initiatives to explore new ways of engaging with young people across Europe.
Both parties will jointly develop new opportunities to make the connection between sport and esports. According to a release, the European Games, set to take place in Kraków-Małopolska, Poland in 2023, will demonstrate the convergence of sport and esports.
In addition, this strategic partnership looks to build out Europe’s position as a gaming and esports hub on a global level. The continent is home to some of the world’s largest and most successful esports and gaming companies, including Fnatic, Dignitas, EXCEL, ESL and G2 Esports, among others.
The news comes a week after the EU Parliament voted to pass a resolution recognising the value of the esports and video game industries and recommending a long-term strategy to support and fund the sectors.
No details have been released about how the GEF plans to work with the EOC to promote European esports.
However, the GEF has struck partnerships with regional bodies before. In June, it partnered with the West Midlands to turn it into an esports hub. That partnership involved hosting esports events, producing reports and creating a research centre.
GEF is not the only esports federation in the world, as the IeSF (International Esports Federation), also shares a similar vision of popularising esports. One of the main goals for both federations is for esports to get recognised as an official sport by the Olympic Committees.
Chris Chan, President of the Global Esports Federation, commented on the announcement: “Together, we are committed to expanding esports, creating new modes of entertainment that engage new audiences, and offer inspiring and innovative formats for esports.
“The success of the recent Commonwealth Esports Championships at Birmingham 2022, demonstrated these opportunities in service to youth and we are looking forward to adding to this through our partnership with the European Olympic Committees.”