The Global Esports Federation has signed an exploratory agreement with the Invictus Games Foundation to develop a global strategy to harness the power of esports as a catalyst for social benefit and change.

“We are proud to embark on this strategic collaboration with the Invictus Games Foundation, leveraging the power of esports to elevate the GEF’s values of equality, fair play, diversity, inclusion and innovation,” said Chris Chan, President, Global Esports Federation.

“This agreement offers a world of opportunity for the services community, particularly those suffering from injuries or illness to join the #worldconnected movement, promoting physical, psychological and social inclusion and a stronger global community.”

“The Invictus Games Foundation uses the power of sport and adventurous challenge to inspire, improve and influence the recovery and rehabilitation of wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women. Our Invictus Games is at the heart of that as the epitome of international sports recovery, offering a platform for the armed forces community worldwide to rally together and demonstrate the power of the human spirit in overcoming adversity and achieving extraordinary feats beyond injury,” said Dominic Reid, CEO, Invictus Games Foundation.

“Sports recovery is a proven method to accelerate and reinforce rehabilitation, and we know that participation in an Invictus Games is transformative for competitors and their friends and family. We see a great potential in esports and are excited to collaborate with the Global Esports Federation to further explore the power of technology and innovation for good.”

The agreement aims at establishing a blueprint to inspire recovery and support rehabilitation for wounded servicemen and women through esports; and to further the understanding and inclusive reach of esports to the world’s population.

“Esports, as in traditional sport, showcases human competition and has tremendous cognitive, physical and social benefits. We have seen firsthand the benefits of esports in promoting communications between people, building stronger global communities, and encouraging the connection between people from around the world, wherever they are,” added Chester King, Vice President & Chair, Education, Culture and Wellness Commission, Global Esports Federation.

[Source: Global Esports Federation] The Board of the Global Esports Federation confirmed its flagship event, the Global Esports Games(GEG),will be held for the first time in December 2021. The annual GEG will be hosted in December each year, featuring multi-title esports competitions, capped by world-class Opening and Closing Ceremonies, GEFcon – a thought-leadership convention, and GEFestival – a dynamic celebration of the inclusive esports culture, highlighting music, art, technology, fashion, food and more.

“The Global Esports Games serves as a platform to showcase the world’s best athletes, players, industry partners, brands, innovations and the responsible use of technology in esports,” said Chris Chan, President, Global Esports Federation. “In parallel, the GEF will stage GEFcon – a multi-platform conferencing showcase for dialogue on responsible gaming, technological advancement and shared learning – bringing people together for the celebration of esports.”

The GEF has received an unprecedented response following its global call for expressions of interest to host the Global Esports Games. Member Federations from 20 countries will attend an Applicant Briefing session on Friday, October 30, 2020, led by GEF Board Member, Lorenzo Giorgetti, as Chair of the GEF Selection Committee. The briefing will provide the applicants with detailed information on the opportunities, requirements and the selection process.

The Board of the GEF has confirmed that a Coordination Commission will be established to oversee the planning, preparation and staging of the Global Esports Games. Four-time Olympian and acclaimed global business and sports leader, Angela Ruggiero (USA), will head the Commission together with Senior Advisor to the GEF Board and Vice President of the Olympic Council of Asia, Luzeng Song (China),as Co-chairs of the Commission. The experienced duo will lead a team of Members of the GEF Board, experts and advisors, adding their distinguished leadership experience to the planning, preparation and staging of the GEG.

“I look forward to ensuring that esports athletes have the optimal conditions to shine. I am particularly interested in the vast potential and diverse opportunities esports can offer the world,” said Angela Ruggiero, Co-Chair, Coordination Commission, Global Esports Federation. “I believe esports is delivering in new ways, leveraging on technology that can appeal to younger audiences and fans across the world. The Global Esports Games will be an exciting new frontier for the convergence of esports and traditional sports.”

As esports continues to advance on the global stage, the Global Esports Games is positioned to reset the bar and offer a new level for athletes and players and the entire esports community. Song Luzeng brings with him close to 40 years of experience in the Olympic movement and will contribute to the complex task of overseeing the successful preparations and staging of the Global Esports Games.

The Global Esports Games is an unprecedented multi-title esports event of a global scale to combine the gaming, performance, education, and business aspects of esports onto one international stage. The GEG paves the way for the future of esports – convening some of the best-known names in esports globally, elevating the credibility, legitimacy and prestige of esports.