On 7 January 2020, the AESF (Asian Electronic Sports Federation) conducted a special ceremony in Bangkok, Thailand to announce the first batch of member associations from different countries in Asia. This means that the AESF now has 16 full members, with seven pending applications currently in review to join the organization.

Check out the full list of member associations below:

East Asia:

• Hong Kong: E-Sports Association Hong Kong (ESAHK)
• Japan: Japan esports Union (JeSU)
• Korea: Korea e-Sports Association (KeSPA)
• Chinese Taipei: Chinese Taipei Esports Association (CTESA)

South & Central Asia:

• India: Electronic Sports Federation of India (ESFI)
• Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka eSports Association (SLESA)
• Nepal: Nepal Esports Association (NESA)

South-East Asia

• Brunei: Esports Association Brunei (ESB)
• Cambodia: E-Sport Federation Cambodia (EFC)
• Indonesia: Indonesia Esports Association (IeSPA)
• Laos: Lao e-Sports Federation (LeSF)
• Myanmar: Myanmar e-Sports Federation (MeSF)
• Thailand: Thailand e-Sports Federation (TESF)
• Singapore: Singapore Esports Association (SGEA)
• Vietnam: Vietnam Recreational and Electronic Sport Association (VIRESA)

West Asia

• Syria: Syrian Esports Association (SESA)

Unfortunately, there are some glaring omissions in the list above. Where are the esports bodies from countries like Malaysia, the Philippines and even China? Despite the fact that these countries are also included on the AESF’s official list of recognised members, their esports associations have not yet been inducted.

However, those aforementioned seven pending applications might include the currently-missing esports bodies from these other countries. Is Malaysia’s ESM (Esports Malaysia) one of them? Possibly, but it remains to be seen.

It’s also important to note that the esports associations from Singapore, Brunei and Vietnam were only given full membership this month, in January 2020. Other esports bodies may still be inducted as full members in the near future, as the AESF approves more member associations.

In order for national Esports bodies to become a full AESF member, the criteria include an affiliation with the NOC or any competent national sport governing body, esports programs and events, as well as administration, governance and compliance with integrity requirements.

With the upcoming AESF e-Masters Chengdu 2020 (set to take place from 22 February to 1 March 2020) inching closer, they need the support and full membership of more national esports bodies to ensure the smooth cooperation of all parties.

(Image Credits: AESF)