Bach and Prince Faisal Unite for Esports’ Next Big Leap
Esports has skyrocketed in 2024, marking a pivotal year for the industry. In July, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) proposed the inaugural Esports Olympic Games, signaling a new era where digital competition meets traditional athletic prestige. The momentum continued in September as Shanghai hosted the unveiling of the Esports Asian Champions League, further cementing esports’ global impact.
“The future of esports has been discussed back and forth over a number of years,” IOC President Thomas Bach shared during the Paris Games. “What was on the discussion was whether one of the other virtual sports could be a discipline of the traditional sport.”
Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation and President of the International Esports Federation, echoed this visionary outlook. “With esports, so many tournaments are either online or offline,” he said. “The innovation here is how do we bring those two worlds together, to be able to bring the national teams together, and bring fan experiences together, and enhance that by not simply watching online, but actually being a part of the online arena and online world. I think it’s not just innovative, but it’s a step towards the future of this industry.”
Their shared vision highlights the blending of virtual and physical experiences, aiming to elevate fan engagement and redefine competitive gaming. As esports continues to break barriers, the collaboration between global leaders like Bach and Prince Faisal paves the way for an exciting future for gamers and fans worldwide.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
