International e-Sports Federation (IeSF) participated in the “SportAccord Convention 2014” in Antalya, Turkey from April 6th to the 10th in 2014. The IeSF had an exhibition stand to introduce e-Sports to all Sports Governing Bodies from all over the world such as the National Olympic Committee and International Sport Event Organizers. Unfortunately IeSF’s affiliation to SportAccord has been differed to the next SportAccord General Assembly, which will take place in 2015.
International e-Sports Federation (IeSF) participated in the “SportAccord Convention 2014” in Antalya, Turkey from April 6th to the 10th in 2014. The IeSF had an exhibition stand to introduce e-Sports to all Sports Governing Bodies from all over the world such as the National Olympic Committee and International Sport Event Organizers. Unfortunately IeSF’s affiliation to SportAccord has been differed to the next SportAccord General Assembly, which will take place in 2015.
The SportAccord Convention is the world’s biggest sport convention, where all international federations, organizers, National Sport Authorities (NOC and Ministry of Sport) and sports marketing companies gather in one place. During the convention IeSF contacted various National Sport Authorities and discussed the possibility for National Federations under IeSF to gain approval. Also, with International Sport Event Organizers, IeSF discussed methods in which e-Sports can be adopted as a program in Multi Sports Events such as Universiade and the Youth Olympic Games. All attendees of the convention saw a bring future where e-Sports can be a new type of sport which can garner the younger generations’ interest, and can revitalize the current sports scene.
Regarding the agenda to approve new membership of SportAccord, 5 International Federations, including IeSF, were brought up at the SportAccord Board Meeting and General Assembly to gain membership. Although IeSF failed to obtain the full membership, which was the initial goal, IeSF membership application has been reserved for next year, as IeSF fulfilled almost all conditions for the affiliation.
IeSF, established in 2008, is an International Federation which manages all e-Sports activity in sports society. It has attempted get e-Sports recognized as an official sport discipline since its establishment. In 2013, IeSF submitted the application for membership to SportAccord, successfully conceived 46 National Federations and approved as an Official Signatory in World Anti Doping Agency.
Mr. Byung Hun Jun, the president of IeSF, said “Through the SportAccord Convention, I felt that our effort for the last 6 years has been going in the right direction. IeSF introduced e-Sports, a new sport trend, to all International Sports Governing Bodies and activated many opportunities to cooperate with them. We truly believe that e-Sports will be admitted as an official sport globally next year, as IeSF will be approved as a full member of SportAccord.”
