Which country was the first to officially recognize esports as a sport?

Esports, or online gaming competitions, has transformed over the past decades from a hobby for individual gamers into a full-fledged industry with millions of fans and huge prize pools. The recognition of esports as an official sport has been a significant milestone in its development, and the first country to take this step was Russia.

Russia became the first country to officially recognize esports as a sport on July 25, 2001. This decision was a significant step towards legitimizing esports and integrating it into the sports community. The recognition meant that esports athletes gained access to sports benefits and support programs, similar to athletes in traditional sports.

However, in 2006, esports was excluded from the All-Russian Register of Sports due to not meeting new criteria. The reasons for the exclusion included insufficient development of esports in most regions of Russia and the absence of a registered all-Russian physical culture and sports association.

Ten years later, on June 7, 2016, Russia once again recognized esports as an official sport. This event was the result of years of pressure and efforts from gamers and the esports community. The return of esports to the register of official sports demonstrated its growing popularity and significance for both youth and the sports industry as a whole.

After Russia, other countries also began recognizing esports at the national level:
— South Korea: In November 2001, the Korean eSports Association was established under the Ministry of Sports, Culture, and Tourism. In 2015, esports was accredited as an Olympic sport, recognizing its immense popularity in the country.
— China: In 2003, China recognized esports as an official sport, making it the 99th official sport in the country. Chinese players and teams play a significant role on the international stage, showcasing high levels of skill.
— France: In late 2015, the French Ministry of Culture initiated the recognition process for esports, and in September 2016, the Senate approved the corresponding bill. This allowed French esports athletes to receive recognition and support at the national level.
— Finland: In 2016, Finland completed the process of recognizing esports as an official sport. This was an important step for the development of the esports scene in the country and the support of young talents.

Esports continues to gain popularity worldwide, with tournaments for games like Dota 2, League of Legends, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive attracting millions of viewers both in-person and through online broadcasts. The prize pools of major tournaments reach tens of millions of dollars, making esports appealing to young players aspiring to a professional career.

Some of the most popular esports disciplines include Dota 2, League of Legends, and Counter-Strike. Esports is evolving rapidly, with many countries starting to recognize its significance. Each year, more countries officially recognizing esports contribute to the development of infrastructure and support for young talents.

In the future, esports may be included in the Olympic Games, marking a significant step towards its full integration into the global sports community. Recognition at the national level and support from sports organizations will help esports continue to grow and attract more viewers and participants.