The newly formed Global Esports Federation (GEF) recently made it official at a worldwide launch, and Tencent is one of the Global Founding Partners. So you might be asking yourself what is this ‘federation’ all about? Well they aim to create a value-based organisation which cultivates collaboration and forging synergies. This is all to help develop and grow connections between the e-sports community and the broader international sports community.
Chris Chan, the President of GEF, remarked at the signing, “We are excited to navigate the pathway and shape the future with the launch of the Global Esports Federation. The GEF will help develop the credibility, legitimacy, and prestige to esports in society by leveraging the history, foundations, the values of sport, and the principle of harnessing technology and innovation for sports.” Chan is now the Secretary-General of the Singapore Olympic Committee and Deputy Chairman of the Commonwealth Asian Games.
The Federation is supported by the declaration made by by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) during the 8th Olympic Summit. This will set a future direction for esports, as well as emphasizing the role of game publishers which encourages conventional sports to consider ways to explore collaboration opportunities with game publishers.
GEF also is considering the opportunity for e-sports to learn from traditional sports in terms of experience in sports developments, adhering to a “non-violence” stand, maintaining fair competition, promoting gender equality, and other issues still to be addressed in the community.
Appointed as Vice President of the GEF, Edward Cheng, who is also the Vice President of Tencent, shared that Tencent E-sports will be cooperating with GEF focusing on areas, such as intellectual property, e-sports events’ organisations, talent education and training, business model, system and sustainable environment for the future developments of the e-sports ecosystem.
“Additionally, Tencent Esports has explored diverse approaches in education, athlete support, gender equality and culture communication. With the help of GEF, we are expecting more connection and cooperation with more countries and regions, thus introducing Esports to a wider audience.” said Cheng.
“Esports today has become an attraction to global enthusiasts, a bridge between different languages and cultures, and a connection between us all. With our collective effort, I believe Esports will unleash the unlimited possibilities of sports in the digital age.” Cheng added.
