The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and Asian Electronic Sports Federation (AESF) announced a new campaign called ‘Road to Asian Games’ in conjunction with the upcoming 2022 Asian Games.
The campaign was launched with an objective of laying the foundation in bringing the Olympic spirit to esports and introducing an education program for participating esports athletes to share the Olympic movement and values.
It would see esports titles selection and confirmation being decided by the AESF, who would also be handling all matters of technical conduct for esports events at the 2022 Asian Games, and allow publishers to be part of the grand event.
The partnership was confirmed on Monday with an online signing ceremony featuring OCA Director-General Dr. Husain AHZ Al-Musallam, OCA Director of Sports Haider AHE Farman, AESF President Kenneth Fok, and AESF Director-General Sebastian Lau.
On the partnership, Haider said: “Leading up to the Asian Games, the ASEF will have the leading role and take full responsibility in the selection of esports titles in collaboration with the OCA.
“From the qualifying rounds to the grand finals of each esports event, rest assured that the OCA and AESF, together with the local organising committee, will work hand-in-hand, ensuring successful esports events for the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022.”
In line with this partnership, the OCA reconfirmed the AESF as the sole official governing body of esports in Asia fully responsible for all technical aspect of esports competitions at Asian Games and other OCA events.
Esports, which was a demonstration sport at the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia, would be competed as an official medal sport in the upcoming edition in Hangzhou, China.
