The Global Esports Federation (GEF) officially launched today with Tencent as its founding global partner. With its launch, the GEF is on a mission to forge greater bonds between different esports communities.
OverActive Media CEO and president Chris Overholt also became a member of the first-ever global esports governing body. Overholt’s expertise comes from his experience in the Canadian Olympic Committee, as well as Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, where he worked with the Toronto Raptors and the Toronto Maple Leafs. This is in addition to his involvement in the Overwatch League with the Toronto Defiant, Call of Duty League with Toronto Ultra, and the MAD Lions League of Legends team.
“This is an exciting and major step forward in the great potential to incorporate esports into the overall global sport movement,” Overholt said. He added that it is a privilege to be a part of the GEF board, and he looks forward to working alongside influential voices in the sport, esports, and commercial communities.
Meanwhile, Chris Chan is the GEF president. He has had experience in the Olympics and also serves as the secretary-general of Singapore’s National Olympic Council.
“The GEF will help develop the credibility, legitimacy, and prestige to esports in society by leveraging the history, foundations, the values of sport, and the principle of harnessing technology and innovation for sports,” Chan said.
Other notable members of the GEF include Wei Jizhong, who is the honorary life vice-president of the Olympic Council of Asia, as well as Charmaine Crooks, who is a board member of the Canadian Olympic Committee and a Canadian Olympian herself.
Currently, the Global Esports Federation has five objectives it will work to achieve. The first is to encourage the establishment of national esports federations through stands and guidelines. Another is to establish an athlete commission that focuses on fair play, education, and the well-being of athletes. The GEF also wishes to assemble competitions and development programs for esports. This is in addition to developing governance structures and guidelines, as well as developing the annual Global Esports Games.
