Esports has been officially recognized as a medal sport for the upcoming 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026, according to the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organizing Committee (AINAGOC).
Esports will make its official debut as a recognized medal sport at the Asian Games 2022 in Hangzhou. During the event, India will compete in four different games, namely DOTA 2, FIFA 22, Street Fighter V, and League of Legends, from September 23 to October 8.
Exciting news for Esports fans!🎉
Esports has been announced as an offical medal sport 🏅for the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026. The announcement was made during the 42nd Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) General Assembly held in Bangkok, Thailand on 8 July 2023. pic.twitter.com/j3SDsbYix2
— Asian Electronic Sports Federation (@AESF_Official) July 8, 2023
This development is expected to provide a significant boost for the growth of infrastructure, education programs, training facilities, and overall awareness within India’s competitive video gaming ecosystem. It will also serve as motivation for Indian Esports athletes to pursue their talents at the professional level.
Director of Esports Federation of India (ESFI) and Vice President of the Asian Esports Federation (AESF), Lokesh Suji said,
“The inclusion of a wide array of titles in the Asian Games not only demonstrates the diverse nature of Esports but also highlights the various dimensions of skill, strategy, and teamwork exhibited by the athletes, delivering a comprehensive experience for spectators.”
A recent report titled “Windows of Opportunity” on India’s Media and Entertainment industry by FICCI-EY indicates a substantial increase in the number of Esports players in India, from 600,000 in 2021 to 1 million in 2022, with an estimated 2.5 million players by 2023. Furthermore, the number of international Esports teams in India is projected to increase from 7 in 2022 to 10 in 2023.
Meanwhile, Founder and Director of Alpha Zegus, Rohit Agarwal, conveyed his optimistic vision for Esports saying,
“One small step for esports, one giant leap for the gaming industry! Esports’ inclusion as a medal sport is not only good news in itself, but it also paves the way for other similar tournaments to recognize esports as an important avenue. I hope this trajectory continues upwards, and we are able to eventually see Esports at a scale similar to traditional sports.”
Building on the successful collaboration with the Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee (HAGOC) for the 19th Asian Games, the Asian Electronic Sports Federation (AESF), as the governing body for Esports in Asia, will continue to work closely with AINAGOC and local partners to ensure a successful Esports program at the 20th Asian Games.
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