Two sports disciplines including esports, which is becoming a rage among youngsters across the globe, will make their debut at the Asian Games as Hangzhou prepares to host the quadrennial extravaganza later this month.
Originally scheduled to take place last year, the continental showpiece will commence on September 23 with esports along with breakdancing making an entry into the curriculum as the Games expand to 40 sports (61 disciplines) spread over venues across six districts.
The decision to include esports and breakdancing in the Asian Games programme came as late as December 2020, while chess and cricket will return to the continental showpiece after the 2010 Guangzhou and 2014 Incheon Games respectively. SPORTS MAKING A DEBUT IN HANGZHOU ESPORTS: It was added as a demonstration event during the 2018 Asian Games and, following the buzz it created in Jakarta, the decision to include it as a full-fledged medal event in the Hangzhou edition was taken.
Esports mimics the experience of watching professional sporting event, except that instead of watching a physical event, spectators watch video gamers compete against each other.