This is the first time when the two games will be a part of an Olympic council sanctioned event
Head’s up everyone. Dota 2 and League of Legends have officially been recognized as a medaling sports for the upcoming 19th Asian Games, which is planned to be held in Hangzhou, China in September 2022.
The recognition of esports in the Asian Games reflects the popularity and growth of esports in Asia and China in particular. Esports inclusion in the Asian Games was made at the Chefs de Mission Seminar video conference for the 19th Asian Games on Wednesday, September 8.
Husain Al-Musallam, the Director General of the OCA, said:
“We hope that this announcement allows all participating teams ample time to prepare and equip themselves ahead of the qualifying stages. I believe we have ticked all the right boxes ensuring a high level of competition which promises great viewing for enthusiasts and casuals alike. 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.”
There will be seven other games that will be played with Dota 2 at the Asian Games. The list of the games and their publishers are:
- Arena of Valor Asian Games Edition by Tencent Games
- Dota 2 by Valve
- Dream Three Kingdoms 2 by Tencent Games
- FIFA-branded football games by EA SPORTS
- Hearthstone by Blizzard
- League of Legends by Riot Games
- PUBG Mobile Asian Games Version by Krafton and Tencent Games
- Street Fighter V by Capcom
The two titles that will be played as demonstration events are:
- AESF Robot Masters-Powered by Migu
- AESF VR Sports-Powered by Migu
Esports was originally added to the Asian Games sports programme at the OCA General Assembly in Muscat, Oman on December 16, 2020. The first esports games played in Asian Games was played at the 19th Asian Games in Indonesia in 2018. However, those games were not a medaled event, just a demonstration tournament.
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.
Now that esports are officially recognised as a medal sport at a prestigious sporting event like the Asian Games, we hope the esports community and industry will be elevated in the eyes of the mainstream public and not just become a niche game played by a select few.
