Kuwait City, Kuwait, June 23, 2020: The Olympic Council of Asia has announced that it will collaborate with the Global Esports Federation (GEF) in its efforts to promote and develop Esports throughout the continent.
The announcement was made in a letter dated June 23 from the OCA President, HE Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, to the 45 National Olympic Committees and also OCA Executive Board members.
Sheikh Ahmad said the OCA had recently received a letter from Mr. Christopher Chan, President of the Global Esports Federation from Singapore, seeking cooperation with the Olympic Council of Asia.
“The GEF has expressed their will and desire to establish a strong strategic relationship and partnership with the OCA,” Sheikh Ahmad says.
“The proposal was discussed by the OCA Sports Committee and also by the OCA Executive Board. I now have the pleasure to inform you that, upon the recommendation of the OCA Executive Board, the OCA has decided to collaborate with the GEF in its effort to promote and develop Esports.
“The OCA looks forward to your support and cooperation with the Global Esports Federation in this regard.”
The OCA has featured esports in several multi-sport games, starting with the 2nd Asian Indoor Games in Macau, China in 2007. This was followed by the 3rd Asian Indoor Games in Vietnam in 2009 and the 4th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) in Incheon, Korea in 2013.
Under new leadership, the revamped Asian Electronic Sports Federation joined the 5th AIMAG in 2017 at Ashgabat, Turkmenistan at short notice and was included as a demonstration sport – the same status it enjoyed at the 18th Asian Games in Indonesia in 2018.
Esports will be one of 28 medal sports at the 6th AIMAG in Thailand next May 21-30 in Bangkok and Pattaya, Chonburi province.