The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) says esports is not leaving the Asian Games, denying reports of an exit after Aichi-Nagoya 2026. Those reports cited a 2024 OCA board decision and the Kuwait-hosted Asian Esports and Mind Sports Games. The OCA's paper trail and its statement now conflict.
OCA: Esports stays in Asian Games
In a statement issued from Nagoya, Japan, on Monday, Sept. 28, OCA Director General Husain Al Musallam said esports would continue being part of the Asiad. The OCA said it has not announced any withdrawal and that online claims of an exit do not match its plans.
Al Musallam said the new Asian Esports and Mind Sports Games (AEMSG) will give athletes more platforms and will not diminish the status of esports within the Asiad system.
The popularity of E-sports in Asia is a key consideration for the OCA in making the aforementioned arrangements. The OCA will continue to support the development of E-sports in Asia and will further promote and publicise E-sports in its other sporting events.
– Husain Al Musallam, Director General, OCA
The OCA said it signed a host city contract with Kuwait on Sept. 19 for the first AEMSG in 2027. It is eyeing the Philippines as the host country for the second edition in 2029.
Old documents say esports to leave Asian Games
Multiple reports that esports would be removed from the program after Aichi-Nagoya 2026 floated online, citing the OCA's 90th Executive Board meeting decision document from Nov. 26, 2024.
According to those reports, the board unanimously approved its removal from the Asian Games program after Aichi-Nagoya.
The Executive Board also unanimously approved the proposal of the Esports, Martial Arts and Mind Sports Committee, to remove the Esports from the Asian Games Programme after the Aichi Nagoya Asian Games and hold a separate Asian Esports and Mind Games. The house also approved the proposal of ESMAMG to form a separate Asian Mind Sports Federation and Mind Sport Games.
– Olympic Council of Asia, Decisions – 90th OCA Executive Board Meeting, Nov. 26, 2024.
The document was signed by Al Musallam alongside OCA Vice President Timothy Fok. It remains up and accessible via the official OCA website.
What's next for esports and OCA?
The dispute does not affect Aichi-Nagoya 2026, where 11 esports events are underway. Titles include Pokémon UNITE, Honor of Kings, and League of Legends.
Esports debuted as a demonstration event at 2018 in Jakarta and Palembang. It became a medal sport at Hangzhou 2022, awarding seven gold medals.
If we are to assume that the more recent information is the more accurate one, then we can expect esports to remain a part of the next Asian Games, Doha 2030.