OCA says e-sports will continue to be a medal sport at Asian Games

NAGOYA - The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has refuted recent online reports that e-sports will be withdrawn from the Asian Games after the ongoing Aichi-Nagoya Games, reports say.

In a statement issued on Monday, OCA Director General Husain Al Musallam said e-sports would continue "within the Asian Games” and that the OCA would continue to support the development of e-sports in Asia.

The OCA said it had not made or issued any announcement regarding the withdrawal of e-sports from the Asian Games.

It said the statement "E-sports withdraws from the Asian Games” circulating online did not align with the OCA’s arrangements.

On Sept 19, 2026, the OCA signed a host city contract with Kuwait, confirming the country’s hosting rights for the first Asian E-sports and Mind Sports Games in 2027.

Al Musallam said: "The popularity of E-sports in Asia is a key consideration for the OCA in making the aforementioned arrangements. The establishment of the Asian E-sports and Mind Sports Games aims to provide more platforms for Asian athletes to showcase their talents and will not diminish the status of E-sports within the Asian Games system.

"The OCA will continue to support the development of E-sports in Asia and will further promote and publicise E-sports in its other sporting events,” Al Musallam added.

E-sports made its debut as a demonstration event at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang and became an official medal sport at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games, with a total of seven gold medals awarded.

Its momentum and influence in Asia continue to grow.

At the ongoing Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, there are 11 e-sports events: Combat Sports, Pokémon UNITE, Honour of Kings, League of Legends, Game for Peace Asian Games Edition, Peak Battle, Identity V Asian Games Edition, Naraka: Bladepoint, GT Racing 7, eFootball and Magic Bubble Championship. - BERNAMA