IOC and GAISF to form liason group of eSports

Important stakeholders across the eSports, gaming, traditional sports, and Olympic communities have formed a liason group to launch measures to popularise the sport.

In an event hosted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland, and moderated by former NBA star and esports franchise owner Rick Fox, 150 stakeholders across all industries attended, including players, publishers and sponsors. Representatives from Riot Games, Epic Games, Blizzard and ESL were present.

A number of panels covering governance, broadcasting, investment, athletes, and gender equality were held. There were also esports demos, with a spotlight on FIFA 18, Hearthstone and Starcraft II.

The aim of the forum was to explore potential collaboration opportunities and commonalities across the different industries, as well as discussing methods to improve conditions for each community.

Questions raised included whether esports could be recognised as a sport, possible measures to ensure improved conditions for its athletes, and a move to increase opportunities for a wider range of players.

This forum followed the Olympic Summit held in October 2017, which formed a dialogue with the gaming industry, among others.

The IOC and the GAISF will now establish an Esports Liaison Group (ELG) to continue engagement between all three sets of major stakeholders. Members of the newly formed group will be invited to the Olympism in Action Forum in Buenos Aires, commencing later this year.

Additionally, esports will be discussed at the upcoming GAISF Forum, all 206 National Olympic Committees, and on the 2018 Olympic Summit.

Source: esportsobserver.com