The Olympic Council of Asia has denied recent speculation that esports will be dropped from the Asian Games, saying the discipline will keep its status as a full medal event.
OCA Secretary General Husain Al-Musallam said in a statement on the 28th that esports "will remain within the framework of the Asian Games" and that "the OCA will continue to support the development of esports in Asia," according to Xinhua News Agency on the 29th.
Al-Musallam stressed that the OCA has never issued any announcement or notice about removing esports from the Asian Games. He also said the claims circulating online about esports being dropped do not align with the OCA's direction.
On the 19th of this month, the OCA signed a host city agreement with Kuwait for the Asian Esports and Mind Sports Games, with the first edition set for next year. Some observers argued that staging a separate esports competition was a step toward removing the discipline from the official program after the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
"The creation of the Asian Esports and Mind Sports Games is intended to provide more platforms for Asian athletes to showcase their skills," Al-Musallam said. "It will not weaken the status of esports within the Asian Games system." He added, "The OCA will continue to support the growth of esports in Asia and plans to promote esports at other sporting events as well."
Esports was first adopted as a demonstration event at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games. It became a full medal event at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.
At the Aichi-Nagoya Games, competition will be held in 11 titles including Street Fighter 6, Puyo Puyo Esports, PUBG and League of Legends.
