Good news for gamers out there! It has been announced that esports will now be included in the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games that will be held in the Philippines next year.
According to Fox Sports Asia, the Philippines South East Asian Games Organizing Committee (PhilSGOC) announced this in a press conference on Wednesday (November 28) together with the Philippine Olympic Committee and gaming hardware company Razer in Pasay City.
Source: The Star
Previously, esports was only included as a demonstration sport in the 2018 SEA games but now, it will be a medal sport. This means that there will be six gold medals up for grabs across three gaming platforms – two for console, two for PC and two for mobile.
“We are very thrilled, excited, and honoured to have esports in the SEA Games with Razer as a partner. Gamers are an important part of our community,” said PhilSGOC chairman Alan Peter Cayetano. The co-founder and CEO of Razer, the gaming hardware company, Min-Liang Tan, also shared his joy at this decision in a Facebook post.
Source: Facebook
“Today is a momentous day for gamers. Our talks with the SEA Games committee have paid off — esports will be recognised as a medaled sport in one of the most revered multi-sport events in South East Asia. Additionally, we’re thrilled to be made the official esports partner for the 2019 SEA Games that will be held in the Philippines,” he said.
“We have always believed that professional gamers put in as much blood, sweat, and tears to achieve competitive proficiency in their field. We look forward to taking esports to the next level—an event that’s not just recognised, but celebrated around the world. Our team is celebrating as we speak, but our work has only just begun,” he added.
Source: Philstar
The Asian Electronic Sports Federation will be accrediting the esports in the SEA Games and the partnership hopes that esports will soon be recognised as a medal sport at the SEA region’s biennial event. Currently, the list of games that will be included in 2019 SEA Games only has Mobile Legends: Bang Bang but the complete list will be finalised by December 15.
There is no news yet about what other games will be in the list but it was reported that the chosen games should be compliant with the values of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and should not promote the culture of violence and gambling. This leads to the speculation that the 2019 SEA Games could be a trial run for it to be a potential event in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Wow! For gamers who are hopeful that they can represent their countries, they will have to join qualifying tournaments and this includes established esports athletes as well.
Guess it’s time for aspiring esports athletes to up their game! 😛
Also read: Malaysia is Getting an eSports Arena and It’s Going to Be Right Here in KL!
