Esports is an Official Medal Sport in the Next SEA Games in Philippines

eSports is now an official sport in the Southeast Asian Games and @Razer is its official partner https://t.co/taRjQdBgly #seagames #razer #SoutheastAsia #sea2019 #Esport #esports #Singapore #Philippines pic.twitter.com/qklXyGFjfu

— unpause.asia (@unpauseasia) November 29, 2018

It is finally official now that competitive video gaming will be a part of South East Asian (SEA) Games, as a medal sport, when the Games come to Philippines next year.

Philippines South East Asian Games Organizing Committee (PhilSGOC) Chairman Emeritus Alan Peter Cayetano and Foreign Affairs Secretary made the above mentioned announcement, on a press conference on Wednesday in Pasay City. Cayetano said,

“We are very thrilled, excited, and honored to have esports in the SEA Games with Razer as a partner. Gamers are an important part of our community.”

With the help of gaming hardware company Razor, the PhilSGOC and Philippine Olympic Committee, will hold esports games for the last batch of Filipino esports athletes, to recognise esports as a official medal sport at a major regional biennial event.

“This will bring aspiring esports athletes in Southeast Asia to the global stage,”

said Limeng Lee, Chief Strategy Officer of Razer.

Esports in the SEA Games is organised by the Asian Electronic Sports Federation.

There will be total of six medals to be awarded for three distinct gaming platforms – two for PC, two for Console and two for mobiles. For these three titles, qualifying competitions will be held.

As of what we know now, the only game that has been finalized as one of the competitive games in the tournament is Mobile Legends: Bang Bang – a multiplayer online battle arena game. Although, the other titiles are expected to be announced by 15th December.

As per Cayetano, TV5 is in process to pick up the broadcast rights for the SEA Games.

“TV5 will definitely play a big role in the SEA Games for 2019.”

TV5 President and CEO Vincent “Chot” Reyes even went on to extend the network’s support to esports.

“We have supported esports for a while now. We broadcasted the League of Legends World Championship on TV5 as early as 2015.”

Esports was a part of the 2018 Asian Games, though just as a demonstration sport.