Now we see this is the 11th year after passing 10 years since e-sports took root within Korea.
Like the proverb ‘After 10 years, the land would change’ we can see that e-sports are now zealously preparing for the 2nd takeoff. In the process of this, there are some of noises but also are people who are steadily holding the position to promote e-sports throughout both of Korea and the world.
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People proudly say that Korea is the birthplace but also admit the reality that China and Europe is fiercely chasing after. In this reality, International e-sports Federation(IeSF) is the society in which people are gathering to make efforts in forming of not only Korean culture but also universal culture through international exchange. Ultimately, , IeSF is the place in which people have a big dream that they would change this place from delightful club to IOC or FIFA to boost up for the whole world to enjoy e-sports as real sports.
In a way, people would express uncomfortable feeling about this Korea initiating situation because this is like Korea alone is running one-man band. However, this is amazing that e-sports societies and associations recognized by each country are gathering below IeSF.
Naturally, IeSF is picturing that world people would admit e-sports. Even though there is some
hostile eyes on the games, IeSF is introducing the cultural value of e-sports to each countries and increasing member countries. At the moment, the members are 15 countries such as Vietnam, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Germany, Austria, Denmark, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Rumania, Belgium, Spain, England, South Africa including Korea, the chairman country.
IeSF has set a goal that it would register as international sports association having members more than 45 countries after expanding to 5 continents in coming 2013. Moreover, it is aiming to entering the Olympics in cooperation with major international sports associations.
The power in IeSF is surely somewhat weak. The financial firepower which is a necessity to operate the competitions is weak and there is a burdensome fact that it needs to compete with WCG which is previously positioned as world-wide e-sports.
However, the footsteps of IeSF are noteworthy. Without hesitation, it is drawing a rough sketch of e-sports with the associations representing each countries not citizen sector. It proved the possibility that the e-sports can be filled with sports and value components not as struggles of gameholics but as a true sports culture by showing the representativeness that e-sports could be the national policy beyond personal greed. Therefore, the footsteps of IeSF should be notified by not only Korea but also by the whole world.
