MLT Foundation demands for e-sports expansion

Sports Reporter :
MLT Foundation on Friday demanded for expansion of e-sports in the country as it has huge potential globally.

“Currently only cricket and football are preferred, but about 50 million of the 180 million people in this country are young people.

MLT Foundation wants through MLT Sports at least 5 athletes or at least 1 team in the sports under the jurisdiction of Olympic Association to improve themselves by belonging to MLT Sports,” said Anik Mridha, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the foundation, at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) in the capital on Friday.

The foundation’s General Secretary Abir Bin Safi, Vice-President ATM Mushfiq Mahmud, Treasurer Md Saddam Hossain and Executive Member Syed Ehraj Ali, among others, were present.

Following this, MLT Sports will provide the necessary support to present the name of Bangladesh to the world beyond cricket and football, he added.

Referring the potential of the e-sports, he said, “There are 25 other industries directly and indirectly associated with the e-sports which are likely to grow further in the future.

Currently, 18 countries have e-sports under government ministries and federations.”

The government and private sector should work together to provide the necessary infrastructure and support to develop the industry further.

It is also essential to scout out and nurture e-sports talent to tap the potential of this industry, Anik said.

The e-sports industry has grown exponentially over the past decade and is now a multi-billion dollar industry.

It has become a global phenomenon and is being embraced by countries all over the world.

Bangladesh is no exception and is embracing the potential of e-sports with open arms.

The estimated value of the global e-sports market in 2022 was over $1.38 billion and it is expected that in 2025 global market revenue of e-sports to grow to $1.87 billion, according to a statistic.

In Bangladesh, e-sports is gradually gaining popularity with an increasing number of young players interested in exploring the world of e-sports, leaving behind their mark with creativity and skills and carving out a successful career.

According to e-sports earnings, 73 e-sports players from Bangladesh have been awarded over $0.2 million in prize money across 70 tournaments.

According to reports, it has also been estimated that the occasional audiences of e-sports around the world will rise to 291.6 million.