New ‘Road to Asian Games’ Program Announced to Promote Upcoming 2022 Asian Games

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and Asian Electronic Sports Federation (AESF) announced their new Road to Asian Games program for the upcoming 2022 Asian Games. The AESF will serve as the only Technical Delegate to take charge of technical conduct during the upcoming event. The AESF will be the exclusive organizer for the Road to Asian Games program, which will serve as the official qualifiers for competing at the Asian Games. Selection into the esports events and confirmation will be decided by the AESF, and the organization is looking to continue the organization of esports till 2030 and beyond. 

Road to Asian Games Program Overview 

The Road to Asian Games program will begin in Hangzhou 2022. With AESF to continue the organization of Esports through to Nagoya 2026, Doha 2030, and the organization seeks to continue its efforts beyond 2030 as well. According to the organization, this initiative will be the first of its kind to ensure fair and equal opportunities for entities in esports in Asia and beyond. Esports will be a medal event at the Asian Games, and the campaign will extend beyond the competition.

According to the press release, the campaign seeks to bring the Olympic spirit to esports and introduce an education program for athletes. The learning program will instill Olympic Movement and Values within future esports stars. The program will focus on grassroots development, inclusion programs, creating career pathways, healthcare and wellbeing. 

Lokesh Suji, the Director of Electronic Sports Federation of India (ESFI) and the Vice President of the AESF, said, "We are extremely proud and applaud this joint initiative. As much as I personally congratulate the sustained efforts put by our President Kenneth Fok and the entire AESF team.”

He added, “This is also an opportune time for the Indian esports athletes to be more conscious and be part of the Championships organized by ESFI and help us to make the national ranking scrims/tournaments more wholesome and meaningful in terms of not only being extremely competitive but also reaching out to the talented esports athletes across the country who are looking for opportunities to play for India and represent at the highest platforms including Asian Games in the coming times."

Currently, the organizations are waiting for the game titles to be announced, which will be part of the medal event at the upcoming Asian Games. Once the games are announced, the organizations will begin scrims and tournaments in India for the same.

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