IeSF, Partnership with Athletics for a Better World, powered by IAAF

International e-Sports Federation (IeSF) has announced a partnership of cooperation exchange between e-Sports and athletics, as signing partnership MOU with the “Athletics for a Better World” powered by International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) at the Sochi EXPO Centre, the venue of the 2015 Sport Accord Convention in Sochi, Russia on April 21, 2015. IAAF is an international sports federation which retains 214 member nations with more than 100 years of history.
Athletics for a Better World has offered the partnership to IeSF on account of possibility and vision of e-Sports as official sports with high popularity among young generation and its rapid growth. IeSF Board has approved such partnership with a positive consideration on the proposal from them.
IeSF became an official signatory of WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) in 2013, and recognized by TAFISA (The Association for International Sports for All) in 2014. And at this moment, partnership with IAAF will enhance IeSF’s status as official international sports federation. This is the first time for IeSF to have partnership with other sports discipline. As starting with Athletics which has the largest number of member nations and athletes, IeSF will continuously cooperate with many sports disciplines and international sports governing bodies. This effort will bridge the gap between traditional sports and e-Sports.
Through this partnership, IeSF will participate in “Athletics for Better World” program powered by IAAF which is to deliver a positive contribution in the areas of health, environment, social inclusion and peace through athletics. IeSF is planning to actively promote soundness of athletics, and promote health and e-Sports activities to all e-Sports member nations and e-Sports fans.
Moreover Athletics for a Better World, whose ambassadors include former Olympians Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Paula Radcliffe and Wilson Kipketer, will look to develop training plans and fitness programmes to help professional and recreational gamers alike perform at the highest levels. The IeSF will also benefit from the IAAF’s knowledge as a governing body with over a 100 years’ experience. There they will develop plans for the future of their partnership including live demonstration workshops with some of the world’s top professional gamers, as well as Olympic athletes who have all expressed a love of computer games, such as Aries Merritt (USA, Gold medal list in 2012 London Olympics men’s 100m hurdles), Warren Weir (Jamaica, Bronze medalist in 2012 London Olympics men’s 200m race) and Christian Taylor (USA, Gold medalist in 2012 London Olympics men’s triple jump).
Mr. Nick Davies, the Deputy General Secretary of IAAF addressed, “As the number one Olympic sport we are always looking at new ways and new means of technology to help engage young people and encourage them to take up athletics. E-Sports is one of the fastest growing sports in the world and we’re delighted to become the first governing body to partner with the IeSF. We look forward to a prosperous relationship and can’t wait to start working on new and exciting opportunities together”.
IeSF president, Mr. Byung Hun Jun said “This partnership will definitely enhance the status of IeSF within the international sports society, and it is a reflection that international sports society is continuously paying attention on e-Sports. By showing soundness of e-Sports and continuous exchange with international sports society, IeSF will keep endeavor to make the e-Sports to be recognized as official sports.