NEW DELHI: The recently-concluded Olympic Summit agreed on a two-speed approach with International Federations being urged to explore esport opportunities, suggesting that the sports movement should just focus on players and gamers rather than specific games, as this focus on individuals would promote the participation in sport and its benefits.
The Summit was presented with a report from the Chair of the esports and gaming liaison group, ICU President David Lappartient with recommendations to promote Olympic sports and the Olympic values in esports and gaming.
With regard to electronic games simulating sports, the Summit saw great potential for cooperation and incorporating them into the sports movement, a media release from the Esports Federation of India (ESFI) said. Many sports simulations are becoming more and more physical thanks to Virtual and Augmented Reality which replicate traditional sports.
With regard to other electronic games, the Summit concluded that, at this stage, the sports movement should focus on players and gamers rather than on specific games. This focus on individuals should promote the participation in esport and its benefits as well as healthy lifestyle at all levels, including a health management model for elite esports competitors, including both physical and mental health, the release said.
The International Federations were encouraged to consider how to govern electronic and virtual forms of their sport and explore opportunities with game publishers. A continuous dialogue between the Olympic Movement and esports and gaming communities should be fostered to develop strategic partnerships, including platforms and events as appropriate. The participants also agreed that guidelines for sustainable relationships between sports stakeholders and esports communities should be developed, the release added.
Lokesh Suji, Director of Esports Federation of India and VP – Asian Esports Federation said: “It’s already part of Asian Games and the day is not far when esports will be formally inducted in Olympics. ESFI is all geared up for it; we are proud to say that we have not only been able to identify best of the esports talent from the massive esports community of India, but also win accolades for the country.
“Tirth Mehta (Hearthstone) was the bronze medalist for Asian Games 2018, while Karan Manganani (Clash Royale) was placed 4th during the same edition of Asian Games. Abhinav Tejan (Tekken7) is ranked 4th globally, and Moinuddin Amdani was placed second in the recently concluded “Nations Cup”, which was organized by SEPC in association with ESFI during GES2019 in Bengaluru. Both Tejan and Moin are part of Team India, which will be participating in the 11th Esports World Championship by International Esports Federation (IESF) in Seoul, Korea
from 11th Dec till 15th Dec 2019.”
