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| (Image Source: Rappler.com) |
With its bid to be included in the 2024 Paris Olympics currently on
hold and its debut as an official medal sport in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games
on the horizon, the global professional gaming scene continues to thrive on its
own road to progress and prominence and the Philippines is steadily becoming
recognized in the world of eSports. This is where one organization is making
intriguing strides in helping the country produce quality talent that are slated
to make their own scene in the international stage.
The eSports World Federation (eSWF), a Philippine-based group that aims
to be an organizer of the world's biggest international gaming tournaments,
aims to help promote amateur eSports across the globe although its true goal is
to hold an eSports World Cup in the Philippines. And judging by its bevy of
upcoming plans, I understood the premise of a potential eSports national sports
association considering that the eSWF has no intention of being accredited by
the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and I am hopeful that these efforts for
Philippine eSports will be recognized.
Board member Rams David officially bared the eSWF's plans to the press
last April 8th in thriving efforts to fulfill its purpose of training and
developing future local eSports athletes. First and foremost is its
collaboration with the Philippine Superliga (PSL) and the Philippine Collegiate
Champions League (PCCL) for the development of grassroots programs that will be
set up in schools, colleges, universities, arcade and amusement centers and
even city-based tournaments.
The federation is also planning to organize various gaming tournaments
featuring DOTA 2, Starcraft II, Tekken 7, Mobile Legends and Arena of Valor
though there is no word yet on what other games will be included in these tourneys.
Furthermore, eSWF proposed a national multi-game tournament "Bayan Mo
versus Bayan Ko" which will be served as an avenue for scouting and
discovering the potential of future national team players. With these and more
in store on hand, it is without question that the eSports World Federation will
take the Philippine pro gaming scene to a different level and I have high hopes
that the national government will recognize its programs and entertain its
champions for future competitions.
