For the first time in SEA Games history, esports will be a full medal event in the 2019 edition in the Philippines.
It was announced by Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee chairman Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday, just months after it was competed as an exhibition sport at the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia.
Esports is also set to be a full medal sport at the 2022 Asian Games in China.
"The Philippines is the first host country to stage an esports tournament as a medal event.
"This lends credence to professional gaming as a true world-class sporting contest, as it engages a new generation of gaming fans," said Cayetano.
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang will be one of the games to be featured at the 30th SEA Games, which will be held from November 30 to December 10 next year, while other titles will be finalised in the near future.
At the same time, Razer was announced as the official esports partner of the 2019 SEA Games.
"Razer is a pioneer and a prime mover in esports, and we cannot ask for a better partner in this historic journey," Cayetano added.
Razer co-founder and CEO Min-Liang Tan was equally thrilled to be part of the regional multi-sport event.
"Esports has been the essence of Razer ever since we were founded, and we have supported countless global events, tournaments, teams, and athletes over the past decade and a half.
"The sportsmanship and fighting spirit seen in esports is no less than that of other sports, and we’ve fought hard for its inclusion in an international sporting event like the SEA Games," said Tan.
Seng Foo Lee
Thu Nov 29 2018
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