ESWF to run esports events in SEA Games, eyes partnership with college league

Esports World Federation (ESWF) president Arniel Gutierrez announced on Tuesday that his group was tasked to handle the global affairs of eSports in the country, including the organization and conduct of events in the coming Southeast Asian Games.

“ESWF aims to develop eSports both locally and internationally as a recognized amateur sport with high hopes that the discipline becomes a medal event in the Olympics,” said Gutierrez.

Aside from running the events for the 30th SEA Games on Nov. 30 to Dec. 11, Gutierrez explained that ESWF has won the right to host the eSports World Cup here next year.

As the international federation for eSports, Gutierrez said that ESWF would facilitate
eSports in the SEA Games in collaboration with the Asian Electronic Sports Federation, the body sanctioned by the Olympic Council of Asia.

Gutierrez said the ESWF has also partnered with Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) for the holding of a school-based competition and sanctioned the eSports tournaments of Philippine Inter-Schools Colleges Universities Athletics Association starting June.

“We believe that our goal and efforts toward making eSports into an internationally recognized sport and discipline may be in line with the current requirements of Philippine sports,” said Gutierrez, in his letter to Philippine Olympic Committee president Ricky Vargas.