THE LOCAL Esports scene got added dimension recently with the establishment of a group whose mission is to help the sport grow from the grassroots.
ESports World Federation (ESWF) is a nonstock, nonprofit organization that aims to promote electronic sports (ESports) as a recognized and accepted form of competition on a global scale by incorporating the disciplines of traditional sports and its current system for a thorough development.
It is a made up of like-minded groups and individuals who believe in the potential of Esports to bring out the best from the various stakeholders of the discipline in the country.
The group was formally introduced in a media launch held on Monday at the Activity Center of SM Megamall Building A, where ESWF took the opportunity to relay what it is all about as an organization.
Among the programs it is working on to implement is making the Philippines home to top Esports competitions, including holding the “E-World Cup” in the very near future, pushing the development of the sport by a way of a legitimate varsity program for colleges and universities, and supporting local game developers and companies through the various events it intends to stage.
“We believe in Esports and we want to support its growth from the ground up,” said ESWF president Arniel Gutierrez at the launch of their organization.
“The mission is to really make the Philippines home to Esports,” he added.
To help them in their “global” push, ESWF has partnered with international organizations, including the FIM Asia Esports Commission, with tie-ups still being worked out with the likes of the Americas Esports Federation Organization, Bulgaria-registered Europe Esports Federation, Nigeria-registered Organization Africas Esports Federation, and International Federation of Esports Healthcare Professionals.
ESWF also engaged the Philippine Collegiate Champions League and Philippine Inter Schools, Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (PISCUAA) in discovering and developing talents.
The roster of the games to be played on the “varsity level” is still being finalized but ESWF said it is looking at tapping games on mobile, PC and console, such as Mobile Legends, Arena of Valor, DoTA 2, Starcraft II and Tekken 7.
The group also said it has lined up a number of Esports-related activities and programs, including the “Bayan Ko vs. Bayan Mo” tournament which is scheduled to fire off in the coming weeks.
The Bayan Ko vs. Bayan Mo tournament will pit different cities and municipalities against one another.
ESWF reiterated that it is not the accredited sports federation for Esports of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) but expressed its willingness to lend its support to the governing body and the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) with Esports set to make its SEA Games debut later this year here in the country. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
