SEA Games esports partner to lobby for inclusion of sport in Hanoi 2021

Gaming brand Razer will lobby for the inclusion of esports in the 2021 Southeast Asian Games amid reports that host country Vietnam will reduce the number of events in the biennial meet.

In an exclusive email interview with GMA News Online, Razer Global Esports Director David Tse said that they have taken the lead to bring together the region's esports federations in appealing to the SEAG 2021 committee.

"These unified efforts have definitely brought esports up for consideration during the meeting held by the organizing committee on 21st July, and we are very hopeful for esports to be once again included in SEA Games," said Tse.

"We have also partnered with the Vietnam Esports Federation to guide them and support on the evaluation process, and have pledged our commitment to assist with the necessary resources to successfully implement the esports event, taking this medal esports event to the next level for SEA region and globally towards our vision at Olympics," he added.

The esports company said aside from its SEA Games efforts, they have also continued to support the federations in gearing up esports athletes for international tournaments.

It recently launched the Razer Invitational, a warmup tournament to help athletes "get regional experience and develop their competitiveness."

"We will go on to implement the Razer Invitational in suitable seasonalities to prepare these athletes with the necessary opportunities to represent their countries," said Tse.

He said they also plan to elevate esports outside of the region.

"There are regional and international federations, like the Asia Esports Federation and the International Esports Federation, which we are in regular discussion and planning on how Razer can support our common goal of establishing esports in the Asian Games and Olympics," he said.

The Philippines bagged three gold medals, one silver, and one bronze medal in esports during the 2019 SEA Games held in the country. —MGP, GMA News