IESF looks forward teaming up with IOC, GEF in Olympic Esports Games
IESF looks forward teaming up with IOC, GEF in Olympic Esports Games
Fans and players alike are looking forward to one day esports will be finally among the medal events in the Olympics, with the dream one step closer with the launch of the Olympic Esports Games.
The Games will have its first incarnation in 2025 in Saudi Arabia as part of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)’s partnership with the country’s Olympic committee.
During the recently-concluded M6 Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, ahead of the finals match between Fnatic ONIC Philippines and Team Liquid Indonesia, International Esports Federation (IESF) General Secretary Boban Totovski shed some light on the preparation for the upcoming Olympic Esports Games.
“The situation in esports is there are two federations on the global scale, which is IESF and then there is GEF (Global Esports Federation),” said Totovski to the members of the media.
“So the IOC decided instead of choosing or selecting, letting IESF and GEF unite first, a project that both federations are working on, and then there will be one unified entity to collaborate with,” he added.
IESF, GEF, and the IOC formed the Esports Leadership Group to facilitate collaborations between the two parties last January.
The official instills that while they are waiting to see the developments in the Olympic Esports Games, “we’re always here to support and provide guidance and as much help as we can.”
Totovski was welcoming of the idea of having esports in the future Olympic iterations.
“For us it’s a good milestone for esports because now the eyes of more governments, people, sponsors and other interested parties will be open to see if the Olympics are screening on esports,” Totovski said.
With the event coming in 2025, the Olympic Esports Games hasn’t announced their game titles yet, with Totovski sharing that there will be six virtual games and six esports titles to compete.
This was after fans and players addressed their concerns over the lack of world-renowned esports titles in the last Olympics Esports Series in 2023, with the games focusing more on virtual versions of existing Olympic sports.
The IESF’s general secretary however hasn’t revealed specifics for their 2025 calendar, but they have a “plan to finish with a big event.”
“The timing for the big event is not disclosed yet because there are so many events, like SEA Games popping up, and the Olympic Esports Games,” Totovski said.
He also added that they are waiting for everyone to announce the dates to ensure everyone has a clear chance of participation.
IESF has been holding events since 2009 with the IESF 2009 Challenge in South Korea, with their latest iteration in Riyadh in November.
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