Esports declared as an official sport in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has made history by being the first country in South Asia to officially recognize esports as an official sport, after the Ministry of Sports published the declaration on 2nd of October.

The Declaration was made on 26th of Spetember by Harin Fernando, Minister of Telecommunication and Sports. It was a culmination of the efforts of the Sri Lankan Esports Association (SLESA), after a long fought decade old battle.

Sri Lanka now joins the likes of France and South Korea as the countries having recognized esports as an official sport. The move was spurred by an increasing change in dynamic of the scene, with Sri Lanka itself ssing a record 150 schools take part in the recently concluded Inter-School Esports Championship.

With Esports as a demonstration sport in the Asian Games, The National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) endorsed it, prompting its inclusion as an official sport in the country.