Esports is getting serious attention in Southeast Asian region. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/file

MANILA -- Southeast Asian countries are beginning to recognize the huge potential of esports.

The 11-nation region is now considering setting up the ESports SEA Foundation to harness the progress of the discipline in the region.



“This is another chance to connect with our neighbors and together strengthen the foothold of sports in the everyday lives of our people,’’ Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William Ramirez said during the ongoing 5th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Sports (AMMS) hosted by the Philippines.

Esports was included in the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia and will also be played in the upcoming 30th SEA Games, which will be hosted by the Philippines.

There will be 6 gold medals at stake in Dota 2, Starcraft 2, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Arena of Valor, Tekken 7 and NBA 2K19.

Organizers are expecting the sport to be hit, which is why the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee secured the 5,000-seater Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan as the venue for SEA Games esports competition.

Apart from the formation of the ESports SEA Foundation, Ramirez said top sports and government officials in the ongoing AMMS and Senior Officials Meeting on Sports will also work on revitalizing the ASEAN Work Plan on Sports for 2016-2020.

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