In 2016, Alisports entered into an agreement with the International e-Sports Federation (IeSF) to create the WESG, a market-leading international tournament. On top of the competitions, we have to bear in mind the electronics business and marketing related to eSports," added Zhang. The size of the eSports market will more than double to $696 million this year from $325 million in 2015, according to Deloitte's study. Yet, Alibaba believes its position as the market leader in China, the worldwide powerhouse of eSports, ensures the return on eSports will be plentiful. "Gaming of course isn't a sport, but eSports involve high-level confrontation, teams, individual resistance, so I think it's a sport.

Source: The Nation Bangkok November 30, 2017 00:00 UTC