The Tourism and Sports Ministry and Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) have partnered with Garena Online Thailand to strengthen the domestic gaming industry and develop the country as a hub of esports tournaments in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The esports industry across ASEAN was valued at $39 million in 2020 and is expected to grow to $72 million by 2024, as people spend more time playing online games amid the pandemic.
“The ministry and the SAT will focus more on esports next year including training and welfare to develop the esport ecosystem after esports was named in the Royal Gazette last month as one of the country’s professional sports,” said Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. “A boom in esports does not only benefit internet providers or IT products, but also consumer product makers which target millennials, sport tourism, and investment in the country.”
The SAT has recently established the SAT Esports Academy to train RoV players participating in the upcoming Road to AIC 2021 tournament. The academy will provide support for physical training, nutrition, and sports psychology.
Allen Hsu, regional head of strategic partnership and esports development at Garena Online Thailand believes that 2022 will be the year for esports as many tournaments will take place in Thailand and overseas, particularly the SEA Games and Asian Games, where esports have become a medal sport and could gain more recognition.
(All information was provided by The Bangkok Post)
0 comments on “Thai Esports Partnerships Formed To Boost Country’s Tournaments”