Esports has seen unprecedented growth in recent years, attracting a diverse global audience of participants and fans. Acknowledging this trend, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has taken significant steps to incorporate esports into its framework. In 2023, the IOC launched the first-ever “Olympic Esports Week” in Singapore and announced the upcoming “Esports Olympic Games” set to take place in Saudi Arabia in 2025.
In response to these international developments, the Mongolian National Olympic Committee (MNOC) has officially established its “Esports Commission” and convened its inaugural meeting. The initiative, announced by NOC President Battushig Batbold on December 12, 2024, during the NOC Annual Meeting, aims to enhance the involvement of Mongolian esports teams and athletes in IOC-sanctioned events. The commission will also promote collaboration among various sports federations and foster partnerships with relevant stakeholders.
Leading the commission will be Battushig Batbold, the IOC Member and President of the MNOC. He will be supported by Vice Chair Bat-Erdene Gankhuyag. Other notable members include Buyandelger Peljee, an MNOC Executive Board Member and Executive Committee Member of the Asian Electronic Sports Federation (AESF), and Otgondalai Dorjnyambuu, a Rio 2016 bronze medalist and MNOC Executive Board Member. The commission also comprises various representatives from Mongolia’s NOC and esports community.
The MNOC Esports Commission is set to collaborate closely with the IOC Esports Commission and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), as well as the organizing committee for the 2025 Esports Games in Saudi Arabia, to develop strategic initiatives aimed at promoting esports in Mongolia.
Esports recently gained prominent recognition, being included as a medal event in the 2023 Asian Games held in Hangzhou, where the Mongolian team secured a silver medal. Additionally, esports competitions showcased the sport’s growth during the East Asian Youth Games 2023 in Ulaanbaatar, highlighting Mongolia’s advancing role in the global esports arena. This development is a pivotal moment for Mongolia’s esports sector, setting the stage for future international success and acknowledgment.
