The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced the inaugural Olympic Esports Games in Saudi Arabia for 2025, a historic move following a proposal by the IOC's Executive Board. The event, in partnership with Saudi Arabia's National Olympic Committee, will span 12 years, as confirmed by HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal.
Opportunities for Indian Esports
India's esports sector stands to benefit significantly from this development. With achievements like a bronze medal in DOTA 2 at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and participation in five titles at the 2022 Asian Games, the country is poised for further growth. Akshat Rathee, Co-founder of NODWIN Gaming, expressed excitement, emphasizing the chance to build independent esports programs and seize opportunities for glory.
Previous IOC Esports Initiatives
The IOC launched its first esports pilot, the Olympic Virtual Series, in 2021 and followed it with the Olympic Esports Week in Singapore in June 2023. This event saw over 130 players competing in 10 categories, attracting 500,000 unique participants and six million views, with 75% of the audience aged 13 to 34.
Industry Reactions
Roby John, CEO and Co-founder at SuperGaming, highlighted the IOC's embrace of esports, which recognizes the dedication and skill of millions of gamers worldwide, encouraging international collaboration and elevating esports to a global platform.
The introduction of the Olympic Esports Games is set to boost the credibility of esports in India, establishing it as a viable career option. John further added that this recognition would legitimize esports as a career, encouraging parental support and elevating the professional landscape of competitive gaming.
Future Plans and Titles
With the announcement, work will begin on selecting the host city, venue, timing, titles, and qualification process for players. The IOC will collaborate with International Federations and National Olympic Committees already engaged in esports.
While the specific titles for the Olympic Esports Games have not been announced, the inclusion of diverse platforms is expected to stimulate growth in India's gaming industry, particularly in PC and console gaming, diversifying the predominantly mobile gaming market.
Industry Perspective
Vishal Parekh, COO of CyberPowerPC India, expressed excitement over the announcement, marking it as a monumental step for the industry and all stakeholders. He emphasized the legitimacy esports would gain from being integrated into the world's pinnacle sports event, encouraging a new generation of esports talent in India.
Additionally, the IOC will establish a dedicated structure for the Olympic Esports Games to address the unique aspects of esports financing and organization, distinct from the traditional Olympic Games model.
