• Forum to develop safe, healthy, sustainable e-sports ecosystem
• Voice and authority for international e-sports coordination
• Board to spearhead and shape the future of e-sports through the Global Esports Federation
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| Source: From left: Khoo, Sithole, Ruetsch, Ng, Giorgetti, Cilenti, Aliyev, Cheng, Guest-of-Honour Grace Fu, Singapore Minister for Culture, Community and Youth; Chan, Crooks, Wei, Ling, Lismore, Seward, Mars Hou, GM, Tencent Games and Tencent Esports; and Foster. |
The newly-launched Global Esports Federation (GEF) will be the first-ever global governing body for the e-sports ecosystem of athletes, sports organisations, commercial partners, and other constituents, guided by the values of sport and the principle of harnessing technology and innovation for good.
The organisation has chosen Singapore as its Global Operations Headquarters. Chris Chan, President, Global Esports Federation said, “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 e-sports in society by leveraging the history, foundations, the values of sport, and the principle of harnessing technology and innovation for sports."
Chan is also Secretary General, Singapore National Olympic Council.
At its launch on 16 December the GEF also signed an agreement with Founding Global Partner Tencent. Edward Cheng, VP, Tencent, will also serve as a VP of the GEF.
"The commitment of Tencent and the vision of the leadership team are evident in this groundbreaking moment to join GEF as our Founding Global Partner. The inclusion of Tencent will tremendously help in the growth, education, culture, and wellness of the esports ecosystem,” Chan said.
Cheng said, “With our collective effort, I believe e-sports will unleash the unlimited possibilities of sports in the digital age. On the path to building a community with a shared future for mankind, e-sports will shine!”
The GEF Board was assembled in Singapore at the inaugural Board meeting, ahead of the worldwide launch. Chan as President is supported by three VPs, Cheng as well as Charmaine Crooks, five-time Olympian and Board Member of the Canadian Olympic Committee; and Wei Jizhong, Honorary Life VP of the Olympic Council of Asia; as well as experts with experience in e-sports, traditional sports, corporate governance, technology, and business.
The Board Members are as follows:
• Ramil Aliyev, Azerbaijan Cybersport Federation
• Mario Cilenti, Panam Sports Organisation
• Lorenzo Giorgetti, AC Milan Football Club
• Chester King, British Esports Association
• Jerry Ling, World Taekwondo
• Adrian Lismore, Investment & Innovation Entrepreneur
• Ng Chong Geng, Singapore Esports Association
• Chris Overholt, OverActive Media
• Aurelia Ruetsch, WorldSkills France
• Tyrone Seward, Non-Profit Co-Founder & Director
• Tomas Ganda Sithole, Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) International Relations Commission
The Board is complemented by two advisors, Paul J. Foster, Senior Advisor - Olympic, Multi Sports & Mega-event Strategy, and veteran e-sports industry expert Nicholas Khoo as Advisor.
Chan said: “The Board and I are excited to navigate the pathway and shape the future of e-sports through 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.”
The GEF focuses on four key pillars: connecting traditional and active e-sports with the global sporting community; active youth participation; world-class governance and compliance standards; and education, culture and wellness. Its initial objectives are to:
• Encourage and support the establishment of national e-sports federations with a set of relevant standards, guidelines, and regulations;
• Establish an athlete/player commission, with a focus on athlete wellbeing, development of standards for fair play, career support, and education to ensure safe, doping-free, and ethically-compliant practices;
• Convene and stage e-sports competitions, conventions, fora, and development programmes;
• Develop world-class governance structures and guidelines for the Global Esports Federation; and
• Create, develop and stage the annual flagship Global Esports Games, with the first Games to be staged in 2020.
Membership into the GEF is open to sports organisations including international and national federations and other sports organisations; commercial organisations such as publishers, developers, sponsors, and event organisers; and non-commercial organisations including cities, international and other non-government organisations.
Research firm Newzoo* has predicted that global e-sports revenue this year will surpass US$1 billion for the first time, growing to US$1.1 billion – a year-on-year growth of 26.7%. It also estimated that the e-sports audience will reach 453.8 million people, a year-on-year growth of 15%.
Details:
Email worldconnected at globalesports.org to join the Global Esports Federation.
Hashtag: #WorldConnected
*2019 Global Esports Market Report
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