The Global Esports Federation has added the World Karate Federation, the International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM), and the International Canoe Federation as members.
In addition to becoming members, the trio also join GEF’s advisory council. The latest additions mean the GEF has now confirmed eight international federations. The other five are: World Taekwondo; International Tennis Federation; World Squash Federation; International Surfing Association; and World Archery.
The GEF has been busy this year in its attempts to develop esports more widely, forming a strategic partnership with digital marketing communications company Dentsu, in June and beginning an “exploratory partnership” with the Commonwealth Games Federation in May.
Commenting on its latest membership moves Chris Chan, GEF president said, “The addition of new international federation members is testament to the vital work the Global Esports Federation has put in to develop the community and facilitating the convergence of esports, sport, technology and innovation…We anticipate greater collaboration among our members and partners in developing initiatives that are in service to the esports community through our #worldconnected platform.”
The GEF, which is based in Singapore and backed by Chinese technology giant Tencent, was founded in late 2019 and is attempting to create a global infrastructure for esports and bring it closer to the world of traditional sports.
In April it announced the appointment of Paul J. Foster as its chief operating officer. Foster previously worked at the International Olympic Committee for 15 years between 1997 and 2012, culminating in a six-year spell as the body’s head of protocol, events and hospitality, leading teams at more than 10 Olympic Games.
The GEF is bidding to play a global leadership role in the development of esports and is founded on the ideas of “credibility, legitimacy and prestige”, Foster has said.