Commonwealth Games 2022: Meet the man assembling Northern Ireland's first Esports team for Birmingham

Esports will make its bow at this summer's Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Gamers will get the chance to compete for the Esports Commonwealth Championships in a special pilot event.

Esports was sanctioned by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Executive Board and will be held at the same time as the Commonwealth Games.

Nathan McCabe revelling in the moment after Euro heroics

It will have separate branding, medals and governance, led by the Global Esports Federation.

Northern Ireland will have a team competing in Birmingham and take part in three games - Dota 2, Rocket League and Efootball.

Ahead of the Commonwealth Games we caught up with Michael Smyth who is Team Manager for Northern Ireland Esports.

The 32-year-old - who is originally from Portstewart but now living in Ballymena - is also a Course Coordinator and Lecturer in Esports at Belfast Met.

We caught up with Michael as he prepares for Esports' debut at the Commonwealth Games, and how Northern Ireland gamers can get involved in this year's Team NI.

"I have always had a keen interest in Esports from a young age, from visiting local gaming centres and playing at home. This developed more when Twitch came along in 2011 and playing and streaming game content became more accessible to everyone.

"Then moving on to the World Championships and European Championships with various games being shown as well as showing the best skills and abilities that the players have.

"This has developed more with organisations like the BBC showing Esports content, which is a massive step for the industry."

"I was keen to get involved with helping to grow the Esports scene in Northern Ireland and I have reached out to the British Esports Federation to help and support them in