MUMBAI: Esports will make its Continental Games debut at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China in September 2022, with eight medal events and two demonstration games.
The titles for the debut of esports as an official medal sport at the Asian Games were announced on Wednesday by the Olympic Council of Asia, showing the popularity and growth of electronic sports in the area. On the first day of the two-day Chefs de Mission Seminar video conference for the 19th Asian Games on Wednesday, the game titles were announced.
Arena of Valor Asian Games Version, Dota 2, Dream Three Kingdoms 2, EA SPORTS FIFA branded soccer games, HearthStone, League of Legends, PUBG Mobile Asian Games Version, and Street Fighter V are the eight official events, according to the OCA’s website. The two demonstration events are AESF Robot Masters-Powered by Migu and AESF VR Sports-Powered by Migu.
The OCA has named the Asian Electronic Sports Federation, based in Hong Kong, China, as Technical Delegate for the esports competition at the 19th Asian Games. The AESF will oversee the qualifiers, as well as the operation and supervision of the esports competition in Hangzhou.
At the OCA General Assembly in Muscat, Oman on December 16, 2020, esports was included in the Asian Games sports program, which had previously been absent from the schedule. At the 18th Asian Games in Indonesia in 2018, it was a demonstration sport, which meant that medals were not counted in the official medal rankings.
Husain Al-Musallam, the OCA’s Director-General, said: “We hope that this notification provides adequate time for all participating teams to prepare and equip themselves before the qualifying rounds. I feel we have checked all of the boxes to ensure a high level of competition that will provide excellent watching for both fans and casuals.”
ESFI is seeking government recognition. Lokesh Suji, director of the Esports Federation of India (ESFI) and Vice President of the Asian Esports Federation (AESF), praised the OCA’s decision and used it to request that the Ministry of Sports recognize esports in India.
“Finally, with esports in the Asian Games 2022, we are here.” Eight esports titles mean 24 medals. We have a good possibility of earning medals in games like Hearthstone, EA FIFA, DOTA2, League of Legends, and Street Fighter. Tirth Mehta, who won a bronze medal the previous year (2018), will be able to turn that bronze into gold this year. We will soon” begin the “Road to the Asian Games” program following AESF, to discover the greatest talent and prepare them for the major event” at Hangzhou,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
“Thankfully we have ample time at our hands (unlike last time) to have the best of the players represent India at Asian Games 2022. We’re waiting for further inputs on titles like AOV (Asian Games Version) and PUBG Mobile (Asian Games Version),” he continued. “It’s past time for the Sports Ministry to acknowledge ESFI and our sport,” says the source. This time, we are certain that we will add to our medal total. “Both the ESFI and the AESF are committed to developing, supporting, and growing esports not only in India but throughout the region,” he added.
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