Following Saudi crown prince’s proclamation, eSports takes center stage
at Asian Games
Just days ago, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman foresaw a promising
future for eSports, recognizing it as a crucial element of his Saudi Vision
2030, which aims to steer Saudi Arabia into a new era of sporting advancement.
During a recent interview with Fox News, the visionary leader emphasized,
"Esports is one of the most significant global phenomena, with consistent
annual growth of 30 percent. It's one of the fastest-growing industries
worldwide, now competing head-to-head with blockbuster Hollywood movies for
viewership."
In a testament to the Crown Prince's foresight, eSports has indeed made a
significant impact at the ongoing Asian Games in China.
Esports makes its debut as a medal event at the Asian Games, signaling a
significant step toward potentially becoming an Olympic discipline in the
future. Renowned gamers, including South Korea's Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok, are
showcasing their talents on this grand stage.
Medals are up for grabs in seven gaming titles, including Arena of Valor,
League of Legends, and EA Sports FC Online. The enthusiasm for eSports is
palpable, with tickets for the event, priced up to $137, in high demand. Fans
have resorted to multiple lottery entries in hopes of witnessing their gaming
idols in action.
For those less fortunate in the lottery, they have gathered outside the
futuristic Hangzhou Esports Center, eagerly trying to catch glimpses of the
official Games buses passing by.
Highlighting the immense popularity of eSports, it is the only
competition at the Asian Games where tickets were initially allocated through
an online lottery, before eventually being offered for direct purchase last
week. With tickets reaching up to 1,000 yuan ($137), eSports has emerged as one
of the most sought-after and expensive events to attend at the Asian Games.
Xu Kezhen, a 20-year-old fan attending the event, noted, "Getting
tickets for this eSports competition was quite intense. I had to try five or
six times before finally getting one. Everyone wants to come and support the
Chinese team and their favorite players, so there is a rush to grab the tickets
and show their support."
Zhao Xiaohan, another avid supporter, went to great lengths to secure a
ticket, entering all available lotteries until finally claiming a coveted spot.
0 Comments