Cover-Credits:
- Esports as a medal sport confirmed for Asian Games 2022.
- Esports was also featured in the 2019 SEA Games.
- Esports will be categorized as an "intellectual title" alongside chess.
Esports has been getting a lot of attention from the media lately. Esports made its debut as a demonstration sport during the 2018 Asian Games, the second-largest multi-sport competition in the world. Now, the Hangzhou organizing committee is planning to add Esports as an official medal event for the upcoming Asian Games 2022.
RELATED: Philippines takes Gold at SEA Games 2019 in MLBB After an Intense Final Series
Esports to be featured in the Asian Games 2022
Esports has made its way into the upcoming Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games as an official medal event. The Asian Games 2022 will be held on Sept. 10 to 15 and will take place in Hangzhou, China.
The announcement was made on Wednesday during the 39th General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) in Muscat, the sultanate of Oman. It was announced that break dancing and esports were approved and to be included in the Asian Games 2022.
“This outcome is a step forward in the right direction as the esports community have been striving hard for the past few years, not only bringing esports into the mainstream limelight but also a step closer to the biggest stage of all, the Olympics,” the OCA announced.
According to the announcement, esports will join “intellectual titles,” of the event alongside chess, while break dancing will be added as a “dance sport.” Official game titles to be played during the Asian Games 2022 are yet to be announced.
The Dawn of Esports
The 2018 Asian Games was the beginning of a new era for Esports. It was the first time a major international sports competition recognized Esports as a match of talent, passion, teamwork, physical and mental strength, just like traditional sports. Even though players didn’t compete for medals, it was the first time they had a chance to represent their countries in a competition this massive.
RELATED: Dota 2 To Feature As Medal Event At 2021 Asian Indoor And Martial Arts Games
The Asian Games 2022 will take this a step further, legitimizing it and perhaps encourage governments to provide support to this rising industry.
Esports was also included in the 2019 SEA Games, where participants contested for six medals. The event comprised of competitions for different game titles like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Arena of Valor, Dota 2, Tekken 7, Starcraft II, and Hearthstone.
