Tencent said on the 23rd that it signed a strategic partnership with the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). Tencent Esports will serve as the OCA's official esports technology partner and embark on a 10-year long-term collaboration through 2035.
Tencent said the partnership goes beyond simple tournament support and marks entry into a stage of "system co-building" that encompasses "technology, standards, and ecosystem development," adding, "Over the next 10 years, we plan to elevate the integration of esports and traditional sports to a new level while jointly shaping the future landscape of Asian esports."
Starting with the inclusion of esports as a demonstration event at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games, Tencent Esports provided core technical support through the strengthening of a strategic partnership in 2022 and the selection and commercial success of esports as an official event at the 19th Hangzhou Asian Games.
Zhang Yati, Tencent Esports director, was appointed OCA esports manager and is expected to play a central role in building the Asian esports competition system and developing the ecosystem.
Husain Al-Musallam, OCA secretary-general, said, "Through the close cooperation and trust built over the past 10 years, we have confirmed the outstanding capabilities of Tencent Esports, which leads industry development."
Accordingly, Tencent will launch the "Tencent Esports Competition System (ECS)," built on the proven technological capabilities from the Hangzhou Asian Games. ECS will provide end-to-end technological solutions for future Asian Games and other comprehensive multi-sport events in Asia.
Hou Miao, Tencent Games vice president and Tencent Esports general manager, said, "For esports to be integrated into the global mainstream sports system, a sustainable and standardized new order must be established," adding, "A 10-year collaboration with the OCA is the process of putting this model into practice in Asia."