Previously, the Philippine Esports Organization (PeSO) applied for accreditation as the National Sports Association. The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) recently granted the approval to PeSO. That way, PeSO officially becomes a national organization that will be responsible for regulating and developing esports in the Philippines.
“We are honored to be at the forefront of developing the fast-growing esports industry in the Philippines,” said Brian Lim, President of PeSO, according to ESPN. “With the support of POC and Smart, we will be able to strengthen our position not only in the local scene but, more importantly, in the global arena.”
Supported by a telecommunications company Smart Communications, PeSO consists of several well-known esports organizations and companies in the Philippines. Some of the PeSO members include Bren Esports, Gariath Concepts, Mineski Philippines, The Nationals, PlayBook Esports, Tier One Entertainment, TV5, and TNC Holdings.
“As the country’s only fully integrated telco and digital services provider, we are excited to enable this organization and provide the best technology to elevate the local esports industry,” said Jane J. Basas, Senior Vice President and Head of Consumer Wireless Business, Smart Communications.
Indeed, so far, Smart Communications has been active in the Philippine esports ecosystem. They once held a national Mobile Legends tournament. Not only that, in July 2020, they also showed off a gaming centre that already uses the 5G network. At that time, they held an exhibition match using cloud gaming between smartphone users and PC players.
Smart teamed up with PeSO and the Esports National Association of the Philippines (ESNAP) to support the Philippine basketball esports team competing in the Pacific Pro-Am NBA 2K20 Tournament shortly after the team’s success in the FIBA Esports Open. Apart from that, Smart also supported the Philippine esports team who competed in the 2019 SEA Games. They even gave prizes to the players who won medals.
“We are glad to have the opportunity to unite gaming fans and rally support for our esports athletes,” said Basas. “We are honored to be part of this huge campaign that will shape the esports industry in the Philippines, and will help our athletes showcase their talents to the whole world.”
Feat image: via Facebook. The original article is in Indonesian, translated by Yabes Elia
