ESI Events, the events division of Esports Insider, has announced the winners of the 2024 ESI Hall of Fame Awards, held during ESI Lisbon at the MEO Arena.
After being hosted in cities such as London, Busan, and Los Angeles, the seventh edition of the annual ceremony, took place in Lisbon and recognised achievements across four distinct categories: Hall of Famer, Community Champion, Youth Champion and Rising Star.
The ESI Hall of Fame Class of 2024 are:
Hall of Famer Award
Danny Tang – Co-Founder & CFO – VSPO
Danny Tang is the Co-Founder and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of VSPO, a leading esports company globally that focuses on expanding and enriching the esports ecosystem in Asia. With extensive experience in finance and a deep understanding of the esports industry, Danny plays a pivotal role in shaping the strategic vision of VSPO, guiding the company’s growth across multiple markets.
View the video here.
Community Champion Award – Presented by Oddin
Désiré Koussawo – President – France Esports
A pioneer in esports with more than 25 years of experience across IT, entertainment and competitive gaming. A well-known leader in the French gaming scene, Désiré has made a significant impact both locally and internationally. Formerly the Managing Director of ESL France and co-founder of the Futurolan Association, which organises Gamers Assembly, France’s largest LAN event, Désiré has been instrumental in shaping the country’s esports landscape.
In his current role as President of the France Esports Association, he champions the growth of esports across all levels. Since 2019, through his work with SAGES Africa, Désiré has also been a key figure in expanding and developing esports throughout Africa.
View the video here.
Youth Champion Award
Ólafur Steinarsson – Co-Founder – ECA
Ólafur Steinarsson is the Co-Founder of Esports Coaching Academy, an initiative launched in 2022 to develop grassroots esports talent and empower communities globally. Notably, he draws from his extensive experience in building the esports ecosystem in Iceland, as well as his work with Riot Games on various esports and competitive products.
Ólafur aims to make esports accessible to all through education, coaching and programme development. The academy supports aspiring esports clubs and coaches, providing them with the training, activities and resources needed to create successful esports programmes. Today over 3% of kids in Iceland train with esports and more than 10% of the country tunes in to local esports content regularly.
View the video here.
Rising Star Award
Ricardo Nora – President – FADU Portugal
Ricardo Nora plays a pivotal role in promoting and developing sports and student-athlete initiatives across the country. With a strong background in sports administration and advocacy, he is dedicated to enhancing the experience of athletes in higher education. Under his leadership, FADU Portugal has focused on increasing participation in sports, fostering community engagement and supporting the holistic development of student-athletes.
Ricardo’s vision is to create an inclusive and dynamic sports environment that empowers students to excel both on and off the field.
Sam Cooke, Managing Director & Co-Founder of ESI, commented on the awards: “We loved hosting this edition in Lisbon and adding another fantastic class of inductees this year!
“We’re spoilt for choice when it comes to awarding these to the many deserving individuals across the sector worldwide. Thanks to Oddin for supporting the Community Award, and congratulations to Danny, Désiré, Ólafur and Ricardo. Thanks too to inaugural Hall of Famer Jason Lake for attending to present Danny’s award!”
The annual ESI Hall of Fame continues to be a cornerstone of ESI’s global events, recognising unsung heroes and industry legends who have helped shape the future of esports. As esports continues to expand globally, the ESI Hall of Fame will continue to recognise the people and organisations that are driving the industry forward.
Click here for more information on the ESI Hall of Fame 2024 and the rest of the ESI Lisbon event.
