The Asian Electronic Esports Federation (AESF) has renewed its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU).
As a result, ABU will join the AESF Partnership Commission as a member and continue developing broadcast and esports initiatives with the esports federation.
The MoU was signed at IPPTAR Building Angkasapuri in Malaysia between AESF Director General Sebastian Lau and ABU Secretary-General Ahmed Nadeem.
Throughout the previous five years, the collaboration between the two institutions focused on co-hosting events and sessions. Moreover, AESF participated in the 65th ABU Sports Group Conference and Associated Meetings, engaging in esports conversations and organising esports demonstration games.
The renewed strategic partnership extends to co-creating and promoting esports-related content. AESF and ABU will also team up for joint programmes, including charity-based or social-responsibility-based competitions in line with AESF’s ‘Your Home Your Arena’ project. The initiative aims to foster compassion and community engagement in esports.
ABU was founded in 1964 as a non-profit, non-government, and non-political association of broadcast and broadcast media stakeholders. According to ABU, the global union’s influence reaches approximately 70 countries and regions.
Headquartered in Hong Kong, AESF is the official governing body of esports in Asia. The organisation is recognised by the Olympic Council of Asia and aims to enhance the professional governance of esports and its development in Asia.
AESF’s partners include the World Cyber Games and World Football Summit. Furthermore, the governing body has collaborated with various federations, educational institutions, such as Coventry University, and game publishers, like Konami.
AESF is not the only esports body to expand its strategic influence through partnerships. Last year, the Global Esports Federation signed agreements with both the International Esports Federation and the Azerbaijan Esports Federation.
Similarly, the Qatar Esports Federation partnered with esports production company ESB to launch a $2.6m (~£2.1m) Dota 2 league.
Ahmed Nadeem, ABU Secretary-General, commented on the MoU with AESF: “At ABU, we recognize the immense potential of Esports as a powerful platform for fostering community engagement and promoting goodwill. […]
“We look forward to working closely with AESF to advance our mutual goals and contribute to the growth and prosperity of the broadcasting and Esports industries.”
