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| (Image Source: InsideTheGames/Global eSports Federation) |
The Global eSports Federation (GEF) celebrated its third year anniversary at the Istanbul 2022 Global eSports Games, held last December 15-17, 2022 at the Hilton Istanbul Bomonti Hotel and Conference Center. The GEF Board convened for its eighth Board Meeting and hosted the third annual General Assembly with Member Federations and partners in attendance in a hybrid mode, both in Istanbul face-to-face and virtually. “The meetings held during the Istanbul 2022 Global eSports Games will help pave the way for the future of eSports, both for the GEF community and the wider eSports industry. The appointments, as well as the agreements, and frameworks we established are exciting steps forward,” said GEF President Chris Chan.
During the Assembly, the GEF has announced the signing of various partnership agreements with several national eSports federations and organizations which aim to accelerate and grow the global eSports industry. These include a 10-year Strategic Framework Agreement with the Turkish eSports Federation (TESFED) to accelerate the development of eSports in Turkey, a Strategic Framework Agreement with the Brazilian Confederation of Games and eSports (CBGE) to develop eSports in the South American powerhouse which includes the staging the Global eSports Tour in 2023, 2024, and 2025 and the conferment of a New Global Supporter in Savvy Games Group's VOV in support of community gaming and health and wellness initiatives globally. In addition, the GEF welcomed the delegation from the European Olympic Committees including Polish Olympic Committee President Andrzej Krasnicki and Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee President Mihai Covaliu. The GEF and the EOC delegation held wide-ranging detailed discussions in preparation for the first European Games eSports Championships 2023 (#EGE23) in Poland this year. The GEF also welcomed observer delegations from the Pan-Am Sports Organization, the Riyadh 2023 Global eSports Games Organizing Committees, Global Partners, Technology sectors and associated industries.
Global eSports Games and beyond
The GEF Board approved the establishment of Coordination Commissions for future events and the appointment of Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons. GEF Vice President His Royal Highness (HRH) Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud (Saudi Arabia) will lead the GEF Coordination Commission for the Global eSports Games in two of the world’s leading eSports powerhouses – Saudi Arabia in 2023 and China in 2024 – with the support of veteran sports administrator Lisa Hindson (Australia) and Vinod Kumar Tiwari (India) as Vice Chairpersons. GEF Board Member Aurelia Ruetsch (France) and Turkish National Olympic Committee Vice President Ali Kiremitcioglu (Türkiye) were appointed as Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Coordination Commission for the European Games eSports Championships 2023. GEF Board Member Dr. Melita N. Moore (USA) and Brazilian Confederation of Games and eSports President Paulo Ribas (Brazil) were appointed as Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Coordination Commission for the Pan-Am eSports Championships 2023. In addition, the GEF Board approved the candidature process for the hosting of the 2027 and 2028 Global eSports Games. Submission for Expression of Interest from potential host cities will commence in the first quarter of 2023 with selection slated for September 2023. With Education, Culture and Youth at the core of GEFs values, the third General Assembly was the perfect setting to announce the Worldwide Launch of the Global eSports Academy. “The creation of the Global eSports Academy is particularly exciting, and it is fantastic to start the process for further GEG events, moving towards 2028,” said HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan al Saud. Bringing knowledge and expertise from the #GEG22, Turkish eSports Federation (TESFED) President Alper Afsin Özdemir joins the GEF Board as a Senior Advisor to the GEF Board through 2023.
GEF and UNESCO strengthened their collaboration and relationship
The GEF and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) committed to strengthening their collaboration and relationship even further with eSports as a catalyst to drive health, education, and equality outcomes. Within this framework, UNESCO and GEF explored various opportunities to fully leverage the educational and societal potential of eSports to connect billions of people around the world, advance sport and education policies, and promote the vast opportunities of eSports, as also reflected through the GEF #elevate2030 agenda and delivered through Global eSports Academy. UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences Gabriela Ramos offered welcome remarks and support during the celebrations of the Opening Ceremony of the Istanbul 2022 Global eSports Games.
