The Olympic Council of Asia has announced that esports will be a medal event at the third Asian Youth Games, scheduled to take place in Bahrain from 22 to 31 October 2025. This marks the first time esports will be featured in the Asian Youth Games. Young esports athletes, aged 14-17, will compete alongside their peers from 20 other sports disciplines, representing 45 member countries.
Esports to makes its debut
The Asian Youth Games is a multi-sport event that showcases young athletes across Asia, including the emerging field of esports. This will be the first time esports becomes a medal discipline at these games, providing an excellent opportunity for young esports athletes to demonstrate their skills.
Lokesh Suji, Director of ESFI and Vice President of the Asian Esports Federation (AESF), has expressed immense confidence following the Olympic Council of Asia’s decision to include esports as a medal discipline in the 3rd Asian Youth Games. This historic inclusion is poised to act as a catalyst for the growth of competitive gaming across India, potentially unearthing a new generation of talented gamers.
Suji stated, “The Asian Youth Games is another prestigious platform which has now recognised esports as a competitive discipline. With esports already being part of the Asian Games as a medal sport, this move will pave the way for greater opportunities and support for grassroots and talent identification of esports athletes and help to build a holistic esports ecosystem for competitive gaming.”
Role of esports in youth development
The first appearance of esports as a medal sport in the Asian Games marks a watershed moment in the recognition and inclusion of esports into mainstream sports spectacles. This trend is likely to continue with the emergence of more international competitions associated with esports.
From cognitive enhancement to teamwork and strategic thinking, young players reap numerous benefits from esports. Esports offers educational and psychological advantages that traditional sports may not easily provide.
The perception of esports is gradually changing, with more people accepting it as a legitimate sport. Through social media and streaming platforms, significant steps are being taken to increase visibility and acceptance.
Growing popularity of esports in Asia
Asia has become a hub for esports, with countries such as South Korea, China, and Japan leading the way. The inclusion of esports in regional flagship events underscores its establishment as a major sporting discipline.
Last year, the IESF hosted the inaugural Esports World Cup, featuring 22 different video games and offering over $60 million in prizes. This considerable amount was distributed across various games, making it one of the largest prize pools in esports history.
The Saudi Falcons won the tournament held in Riyadh, scoring 5,665 points. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman presented the victory trophy to the team, along with a cheque for $7 million, at a ceremony. The 2025 Esports World Cup will be held from June to August in Riyadh, with the prize pool expected to exceed $60 million.
The burgeoning esports industry is a significant contributor to the economy, generating revenue through sponsorships, advertising, and media rights. It also creates jobs, from professional gaming to roles in event management and content creation.
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