OCA Refutes Reports of Esports Withdrawal From Asian Games

The Olympic Council of Asia, in a statement issued from Nagoya on September 28, 2026, categorically refuted recent online reports that esports will be withdrawn from the Asian Games after the ongoing Aichi-Nagoya Games, with Director General Husain Al Musallam stating that esports will continue as a medal sport within the Asian Games.

The OCA said it has not made or issued any announcement regarding esports withdrawing from the Asian Games. The council said the message “E-sports withdraws from the Asian Games” circulating online does not align with its work arrangements.

Al Musallam said esports would continue “within the Asian Games” and that the OCA would continue to support the development of esports in Asia. He described the popularity of esports in Asia as a key consideration for the council in making its arrangements.

“The establishment of the Asian E-sports and Mind Sports Games aims to provide more platforms for Asian athletes to showcase their talents and will not diminish the status of E-sports within the Asian Games system,” Al Musallam said. He added that the OCA will further promote and publicise esports in its other sporting events.

Esports made its Asian Games debut as a demonstration event at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang and became an official medal sport at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games, where it yielded a total of seven gold medals, according to the OCA. The council said esports competition at the ongoing Aichi-Nagoya Games is proceeding smoothly, with 11 events on the programme: Combat Sports, Pokemon Unite, Honour of Kings, League of Legends, Game for Peace Asian Games Edition, Peak Battle, Identity V Asian Games Edition, Naraka: Bladepoint, GT Racing 7, eFootball, and Magic Bubble Championship.

Executive Board Approved Esports Removal in 2024

The OCA’s published decisions from its 90th Executive Board Meeting, held virtually on November 26, 2024, record that the board unanimously approved a proposal from the Esports, Martial Arts and Mind Sports Committee to remove esports from the Asian Games Programme after the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and to hold a separate Asian Esports and Mind Games.

The same document records that the board approved the committee’s proposal to form a separate Asian Mind Sports Federation and Mind Sport Games, and that it unanimously approved the signing of an agreement between the OCA and the Government of Kuwait. First Vice President Timothy Fok chaired the meeting in the absence of President Raja Randhir Singh, who had requested medical leave, and the decisions are signed by Fok and Al Musallam.

The document also records that the board wished Singh a speedy recovery, extended its full support to him, and unanimously approved two letters from the president dated November 7, 2024.

Kuwait to Host Inaugural Asian Esports and Mind Sports Games

On September 19, 2026, the OCA signed the Host City Contract with Kuwait to stage the inaugural edition of the Asian Esports and Mind Sports Games in 2027. The council said the new event is the first launched under President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani’s presidency and will see 4,000 athletes take part, a turnout it said demonstrates the depth and popularity of esports and mind sports in Asia. The programme of the Games will be announced in due course.

“We are delighted to sign the host city contract with Kuwait to stage the first edition of the Asian Esports and Mind Sports Games,” Sheikh Joaan said. He said the launch is fully aligned with the OCA’s “Together for Asia” vision of uniting the continent through sport to promote excellence, solidarity and peaceful competition, and that events like the new Games create opportunities for the continent’s athletes to showcase their talent.

The signing took place on the sidelines of the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, which officially opened with their Opening Ceremony that evening. The OCA said it is in discussion with the Philippines to host the second edition of the Asian Esports and Mind Sports Games in 2029, with a decision anticipated at the 2027 OCA General Assembly in Doha.