Hangzhou, China, October 4, 2023: Esports, which made its official debut as a medal sport at the 19th Asian Games, came to an impressive conclusion on October 2, 2023, with the DOTA 2 finals between Team China and Team Mongolia.
A total of 30 participating National Olympic Committees with 473 athletes showed strong support, competing for 21 medals across various categories. The event featured seven game titles, starting with EA FC Online, followed by Arena of Valor Asian Games Version, League of Legends, Street Fighter V: Champion Edition, Dream Three Kingdoms 2, Peace Elite Asian Games Version, and DOTA 2.
The People's Republic of China secured the most medals with five, including four gold. They were closely followed by the Republic of Korea and Thailand.
The Esports event at the 19th Asian Games received unwavering support from the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), the Hangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee (HAGOC) and the General Administration of Sport of China, along with the participating NOCs. The OCA congratulated the Esports organisers at the 19th Asian Games, citing it as an exemplary achievement, and expressed anticipation for even greater success in the upcoming 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya in 2026.
Concurrently, the Asian Electronic Sports Federation successfully hosted its 3rd Executive Board meeting and 1st AESF grand meeting in Hangzhou. The OCA extended its full support to the decisions made by the AESF Executive Board members during the meeting. The OCA expressed its hope that AESF, under the leadership of President Kenneth Fok and the Executive Board members, would continue to advance the Esports journey and its banner, aiming for greater heights.
Looking ahead, Esports will continue its journey at the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) in Thailand in 2024, followed by the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya in 2026.
