TNC, the top Philippine e-sports team right now, is now GAB-supported. From TNC's Twitter page |
QUEZON CITY—In a huge development in the Philippine sports scene in general, e-sports athletes can now be treated like their traditional sports counterparts.
The players from TNC and Execration received professional athlete licenses from GAB less than two weeks before they head to Seattle for TI7, DOTA 2's most prestigious tournament.
TNC manager Paulo Sy revealed the news during the press conference of the club's renewed partnership with Malaysian-based e-sports company Syber at the High Grounds Café on Tuesday.
"It's a very big step for Philippine e-sports because TNC and Execration have been there for the longest time, and they have been representing the Philippines in various international events," Sy said.
A GAB license is needed for professional basketball players, footballers, pugilists, and now e-sports gamers to compete.
Sy, however, clarified, "[The application is] still going to be the same process as applying as a professional boxer. There will be criterias that need to be met for you to become accredited as a professional e-sports player."
Dugout Philippines is contacting GAB for more details regarding e-sports licenses as of posting.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno