Indian esports community celebrates Olympic Esports Games Saudi Arabia announcement

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today (June 12, 2024) officially announced the first Olympic Esports Games 2025. This inaugural event will be held in Saudi Arabia next year. With this announcement, a wave of excitement has surged among the gaming community worldwide. Many prominent names in the Indian esports industry have also shared their excitement over this announcement.

Giants in the Indian gaming industry, such as Vishal Parekh, Roby John, and Akshat Rathee, shared their thoughts on the announcement. Herein, we cover that and more about the Olympic Esports Games 2025.

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Inaugural Olympic Esports Games 2025 is a massive opportunity for Indian esports

Olympic Esports Games to be held in 2025 (Image via Olympics)

The IOC entered a 12-year-long partnership with the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Saudi Arabia to host the Olympic Esports Games. Following the announcement, HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee said,

"The world is invited to join us in 2025 and celebrate this moment together."

This announcement was well received by the Indian esports community. The esports scene in the country is on the rise after the bronze medal win in DOTA 2 at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and competing in five titles at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou.

Looking at this announcement, Co-founder and MD of NODWIN Gaming Akshat Rathee said,

"NODWIN Gaming is thrilled that esports has earned its place in the Olympics with its own standalone event, akin to the Summer, Winter, and Paralympics. This recognition allows countries to develop independent esports programs. Together with our partners in the GEF and the EWC, NODWIN Gaming is eager to build esports in our core growth markets, seizing this opportunity for hope and glory."

Other prominent names in the Indian esports scene have also shared their thoughts on this event.

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Roby John and Vishal Parekh on the announcement of the Olympic Esports Games

The IOC's first project in esports began with the Olympic Virtual Series in 2021, followed by Olympic Esports Week Singapore in June 2023. With the fruition of those events now coming into effect, Roby John, CEO and Co-founder at SuperGaming, said,

“The IOC's embrace of the Olympic Esports Games honors the dedication and skill of millions of gamers worldwide. It goes beyond just competition; it elevates esports to a global platform, encouraging international collaboration and potentially ushering in a new generation of athletes."

He also remarked how the event benefits the future of esports:

"This initiative truly is a landmark moment for esports, bringing it the global recognition it has long earned. The inclusion of esports in the Olympic movement demonstrates its growing influence and cements its place in the future of sports."

Additionally, Vishal Parekh, COO of CyberPowerPC India, said,

"We are absolutely elated by the announcement of the Olympic Esports Games which is being hosted in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This marks a monumental step for the industry and all its stakeholders. The Indian esports sector is on an upward trajectory and this will further empower it."

Parekh emphasized how this will bring in fresh talent:

Esports being integrated under the banner of the pinnacle of sports events in the world will bring further legitimacy to this form of sport and encourage a new generation of esports talent to rise from the country.

He even spoke about how such an event validates gaming as a profession:

"This recognition will further legitimize esports as a career option, more parents will now support their children in pursuing careers in this field, elevating the professional landscape of competitive gaming. We are proud to support the growth of esports in India, giving our players the chance to shine on this prestigious international platform"

The NOC of Saudi Arabia has started the selection of this auspicious event's host city and venue. However, the titles to be featured in the inaugural Olympic Esports Games are yet to be decided. Stay tuned to Sportskeeda for more updates.