Taipei Department of Economic Development wants to promote e-sports and have them officially recognized by the central government.
Taipei City Department of Economic Development Commissioner Lin Chung-chieh (林崇傑) said the department has submitted an appeal to the Ministry of Education’s Sports Administration and he is to meet with the administration deputy director today to discuss making gaming an officially recognized indoor sport.
Earlier this month, Lin invited about 20 competitive video gamers, game developers and gaming agents to discuss the feasibility of the city government assisting with promotion.
As video gaming is not officially considered a sport, it cannot receive government funding, said Lin, who hopes that the authorities would recognize gaming as part of the sports industry.
Video gaming in Taiwan carries a stigma that keeps parents from encouraging young people to play games and has left the private sector reluctant to make investments, despite the rapid growth of the gaming industry in many parts of the world, Lin said.
The appeal focuses on the potential production value of the gaming industry and estimated online viewers of leading competitions, such as the League of Legends World Championships.
Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) is considered by members of the League of Legends Taiwan as the official most supportive of the nation’s gaming industry.
Ko posted a video online of himself playing the role of a League of Legends figure on Facebook on the eve of the World Championships.
Ko is to meet with the two national teams that participated in the championships — AHQ e-Sports Club and the Flash Wolves.
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