Global Esports Federation and International Esports Federation create Esports Leadership Group

The Global Esports Federation (GEF) and the International Esports Federation (IESF) have created the Esports Leadership Group (ELG) to facilitate collaboration between the two entities. According to a statement, the ELG will focus on. developing initiatives based on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) previously signed by both agencies.

The Esports Leadership Group is chaired by the Vice President of the International Olympic Committee, Ser Miang Ng, as well as HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, President of the International Esports Federation, and Chris Chan, President of the Global Esports Federation.

Both presidents signed the Memorandum of Understanding during the GEF Riyadh World Esports Games in December 2023 to “drive advancement and deliver new opportunities” across the global eSports ecosystem. Ser Miang Ng was also present during the signing.

Founded in 2019, the GEF is an international organization that aims to promote the credibility and legitimacy of e-sports.. The organization recently announced a new executive team in line with its ‘GEF 5.0’ strategy for the period 2024-2028. Last year the GEF also increased its global influence with the launch of the Oceania Esports Development Federation and the Europe Esports Development Federation.

Headquartered in Busan, South Korea, the IESF has endeavored to promote the recognition and diversity of e-sports since 2008. To this end, the IESF collaborates with e-sports stakeholders, such as the Chinese city of Qingdao and the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), and with more than 100 member countries.

In October 2023, the organization appointed Prince Faisal, who is also Vice President of the FIA and President of the Arab Esports Federation, as President. Saudi Arabia’s growing involvement in e-sports has been the subject of criticism due to the country’s human rights record.

We are entering an exciting phase in the development of eSports, including the IOC’s recent announcement of the Esports Olympics, and the diverse content on offer around the world. The collaboration between the GEF and the IESF will contribute to the global development of eSports and the prospect of collaborating with the International Olympic Committee and esports. The union of esports and esports will create unlimited opportunities for young people around the world, thus leveraging the innovation and values of esports. It is my privilege and pleasure to work with HRH Prince Faisal and Chris Chan.

Ser Miang Ng, Vice President, International Olympic Committee