Seoul, Korea, August 2, 2023: The Olympic host city of Seoul witnessed an electrifying start to the final phase of the 2022 Road to Asian Games (RDAG) Regionals with the official launch of the EA Sports FIFA Online 4 competition, which is being held from August 2-6.
In his opening address, Sebastian Lau, Director General of the Asian Electronic Sports Federation (AESF), welcomed distinguished guests, athletes and officials from across Asia to this momentous event, which marks a historic milestone for Esports in the region.
The event follows the news last month that Esports has been included on the list of 41 sports for the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan in 2026. Esports will make its Asian Games debut as a medal sport in Hangzhou, China in September and October.
This latest recognition highlights the growing acceptance and credibility of Esports within the sporting community and underscores the commitment to aligning Esports competitions with Olympic values and regulations.
The success of Esports in Asia is due to the passion and determination of the athletes and community, as well as the collaborative efforts of various organizations and partners. The AESF, the Korean e-Sports Association (KeSPA), member associations, Digital Esports Asia, partners and publishers have played instrumental roles in fostering the growth of Esports in the region.
Acknowledging South Korea as the epicenter of Esports, Director General Sebastian Lau expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea, KeSPA President Kim Young Man and their respective teams for their support in organising the EA Sports FIFA Online 4 competition. South Korea's well-established Esports ecosystem and unwavering passion for the sport have been instrumental in making Esports an official medal sport at the upcoming Asian Games.
Sebastian Lau called upon all athletes, officials and spectators to come together in the spirit of ambition, willpower and collaboration, as this event represents a historic moment for Esports. He emphasized the collective efforts needed to script a new chapter in the history of Esports and set a precedent on the grand stage of the 19th Asian Games. The launching of the competition culminated with a button ceremony.
