Saudi Arabia to Host 2025 Olympic Esports Games: A Milestone in Esports

Introduction
The e-sports industry has been acknowledged as a worldwide phenomenon in the past few years. In the constantly changing digital environment, numerous fast developments in technologies and continuous innovations have taken place. The e-sports sector has experienced significant expansion in terms of viewership, revenue, engagement, and worldwide recognition. The e-sports sector has the ability to captivate a significant audience. Live streaming of gaming and internet games have become incredibly popular around the globe. The widespread involvement in e-sports across different countries has fostered a beneficial interaction within the online gaming sector. The enthusiastic involvement in e-sports has brought worldwide fame and has encouraged gamers to view online gaming as a potential career choice, creating more opportunities within the e-sports sector.

Announcement of Olympic Esports Games 2025
Recently the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on Friday 12 July 2024 its partnership with the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Saudi Arabia to host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games 2025 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, this marks a new era for the Olympic Games. The partnership is agreed for 12 years and will be ratified at the IOC session on the eve of the Olympic Games in Paris. The IOC has been exploring e-sports for several years and has formed a dedicated commission to find opportunities. In 2021, the IOC developed the Olympic virtual series, a pilot venture in esports. Saudi Arabia, with over 23 million gamers, has become a global hub for professional esports. The IOC has been working to connect with a younger generation of potential Olympic fans. The IOC plans to create a new dedicated structure within the organization that will be separate from the organizational and financial model for the traditional Olympic Games, to better address the unique nature of e-sports.

Esports and India
Esports was officially recognized as a multi-sport event by the Government of India in December 2022, moving beyond being seen as just a hobby or leisure activity. With wide recognition, e-sports has also established itself in prestigious global tournaments where Indian players have not only taken part but also left a significant impression. Achieving a bronze medal in DOTA 2 at the Commonwealth Esports Championships. Additionally, reaching in quarterfinals and securing fifth place in League of Legends at the Asian Games against tough competition is a significant accomplishment for a country establishing its presence on the global stage. India now has a new chance to enhance its prestige in the modern sport of e-sports with the introduction of the Olympic Esports Games 2025, paving the way for success at the Olympic Games.

Conclusion
The Olympic e-sports games mark a significant step forward in the evolution of esports, transforming it into a well-known sector on a global stage. Being included in the Olympics validates esports as a competitive discipline and provides a global platform for its growth and trends. The e-sports sector has now emerged as a popular business, attracting millions of participants worldwide and encouraging a larger number of players to experience online gaming platforms. The Olympic Esports Games will create an international platform for esports players to display their abilities and the chance to represent their countries on the biggest multi-sport stage in the world. This has the potential to motivate a new wave of gamers in India and beyond to choose esports as a professional career, thus boosting the industry’s expansion.

However, with the expansion of the gaming industry, particularly in the age of mobile gaming, it is critical to simultaneously address issues such as safe use, effective oversight, and cybersecurity. As the player population expands, particularly among younger generations, safe online gaming habits must be promoted. This includes promoting knowledge about the potential consequences of excessive gaming, such as addiction, as well as ensuring proper time management. Furthermore, the rising popularity of online gaming creates a pressing demand for cybersecurity for a better resilient and safe environment in the online gaming landscape. It is critical to strike a healthy balance by implementing ethical gaming habits and effective cybersecurity measures to ensure a secure and long-term future in e-sports.

References:

https://olympics.com/ioc/news/ioc-announces-olympic-esports-games-to-be-hosted-in-the-kingdom-of-saudi-arabia