The gaming industry is booming with the inclusion of a lot of competitive events, and the national-wide events are also capitalizing on the same. Eight esports titles will make their debut as an official medal sport at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China scheduled in 2022. The Olympic Council of Asia has announced the names today but the decision was made on the first day of the two-day Chefs de Mission Seminar video conference for the 19th Asian Games on Wednesday, September 8.
Mobile Esports events at the 19th Asian Games (Hangzhou 2022)
From September 10 to September 25, the XIX Asiad will host 482 events in 40 sports (consist of 61 disciplines). All 45 nations that are members of the Olympic Council of Asia are expected to compete. Esports games that will be played as a medal event are listed below.
Mobile Games
- Arena of Valor (Asian Games Version)
- Dream Three Kingdoms 2
- PUBG Mobile (Asian Games Version)
PC Games
- Dota 2
- EA SPORTS FIFA branded soccer games
- HearthStone
- League of Legends
- Street Fighter V
Demonstration events
- AESF Robot Masters-Powered by Migu
- AESF VR Sports-Powered by Migu
What the organizers said about the events
It is obvious that among the games, the South Asian esports lovers will especially keep their eyes on PUBG Mobile. As the council quoted the games will be played in their “Asian Games version”, it is most likely we’ll see the Game for Peace. Because the global version of PUBG Mobile is not authorized in China.
The Asian Electronic Sports Federation, which is based in Hong Kong, China, has been appointed Technical Delegate of the esports competition at the 19th Asian Games by the OCA. The AESF will be in charge of the qualifying competition and for the operation and management of the esports competition in Hangzhou.
“I believe we have ticked all the right boxes ensuring a high level of competition which promises great viewing for enthusiasts and casuals alike”, said the Director-General of the OCA, Mr. Husain Al-Musallam.
“We at the OCA are looking forward to working closely with our friends at the Asian Electronic Sports Federation and the Hangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee to ensure a successful execution of the esports event at the 2022 Asian Games”, he added. He also hoped that the participating teams will get ample time to prepare and equip themselves ahead of the qualifying stage.
Not the first time esports are included in Asian Sports Events
This is not the first time for esports titles to be included in Asian Games. The last version of the event which was held in Jakarta, Indonesia, also featured League of Legends, StarCraft II, Hearthstone, Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) 2018, Arena of Valor, Clash Royale as a demonstration event.
However, SEA Games 2019, supervised by the IOC, was the first sports event to include esports as an official discipline like other sports and recognized as a medal event. Six games were competed as part of the esports category during that event, including Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Arena Of Valor, Dota 2, Tekken 7, Starcraft 2, and Hearthstone.
And, 31st SEA Games Hanoi 2021 included 5 mobile esports titles that are League of Legends: Wild Rift, PUBG Mobile, Free Fire, Arena of Valor, and Mobile Legends. Esports was added to the Asian Games sports program at the OCA General Assembly in Muscat, Oman on December 16, 2020.
Final thoughts
The Esports title included in events like this reflect the popularity and growth of electronic sports in China and Asia. And, it will pave the way for the future of esports not only in Asia but around the world. It is a step towards mainstream validation as well. Others events around the world might consider esports to include in the future.
Would you like to see more esports events included in the 19th Asian Games at Hangzhou 2022? Do let us know in the comments below!
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