SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Despite its size Taiwan is a notable force in the world of eSports. The current hope is that the country becomes the sixth nation worldwide to recognise competitive gaming as an official sport.
Government officials met with board members from the Taiwan eSports sector to further discuss moves in this regard last week’s proposals. eSports would be classified as an ‘indoor sport’ should the country’s Ministry of Education agree to the proposal.
The proposal was put forward by Taipei’s Department of Economic Development Chief Lin Chung-chieh and Taiwan eSports League chairman Huangbo Hong, who stated that its association would ensure eSports ventures are able to secure government funding.
If it is successful, Taiwanese eSports professionals would join the likes of the US, South Korea and China and gain benefits such as athlete visas for overseas competition. Taiwanese business commentators further proclaimed that classifying eSports as a sports would help growth in their economy.
The mayor of Taipei, Ko Wen-je, is himself a keen eSports player and fan, he has in the past posted a video of his own League of Legends gameplay to spur on his fellow countrymen at world competitions.
