December 13 – The Asian Soccer Confederation (AFC) has taken the subsequent step into the digital world with the conclusion of its first-ever AFC Soccer eSports Discussion board in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Tuesday.
Constructing on the profitable launch of the AFC eAsian Cup earlier this yr, operating parallel with the Asian Cup in Qatar, the two-day discussion board introduced collectively key stakeholders and eSports specialists to discover methods to strengthen and broaden the Soccer eSports ecosystem in Asia.
Eager to benefit from the booming eSports market, the Confederation can be set to launch its inaugural club-focused occasion, the AFC eChampions League Elite, in April 2025. The discussion board was used to supply potential members with recommendation to additional improve their Soccer eSports techniques, with one eye on supporting the AFC’s MAs for a possibility on the “world’s largest phases”.
Identically to FIFA, the AFC’s eSports tournaments utilise Konami’s eFootball platform, versus the favored FC25 sport developed by EA Sports activities.
Representatives from Konami, which hails from Japan, joined the AFC’s MAs on the Discussion board to elucidate the most recent updates to their free-to-play sport.
“Earlier this yr, we marked the start of a brand new chapter within the Confederation’s wealthy legacy after we launched the AFC eAsian Cup,” stated AFC deputy basic secretary Shin Man Gil.
“It demonstrated the immense potential of eSports and opened the doorways to welcome an entire new part of followers. We should embrace digital improvements to broaden the attain of our sport and deepen our reference to followers, particularly with our youthful viewers.”
Pranav Jayachandran of the All India Soccer Federation, added: “Listening to the success tales of our friends has been extremely inspiring and we are going to return from this Discussion board with a wealth of information that may absolutely contribute to enhancing our respective soccer eSports initiatives.”
“The AFC eAsian Cup was not solely an exciting expertise but additionally signalled the immense potential of Asian groups, and we’re all wanting to see how this ecosystem evolves sooner or later.”
Contact the author of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1734111756labto1734111756ofdlr1734111756owedi1734111756sni@g1734111756niwe.1734111756yrrah1734111756