Esports body eyes Visayas, Mindanao for grassroots program

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Esports Organization (PeSO) unveiled its 2024 plans during its thanksgiving night, dubbed as “Taon Ng Tagumpay”, where it celebrated the achievements during the past year.

Besides stating the upcoming tournaments that the country's national esports team, Sibol, will be participating in, PeSO has rekindled its promise of bringing esports to all, including strengthening the National Grassroots Program (NGP) by bringing it to Visayas and Mindanao.

"By February [of next year], we will continue the National Grassroots Program with focus on Visayas and Mindanao. Nakikita po natin na may potential ang ating mga Vis-Min athletes at kailangan po natin silang bigyan ng venue para sa kanilang mga skills," shared PeSO Executive Director Marlon Marcelo.

Launched in 2022, the PeSO’s NGP aims to develop the country's esports grassroots by giving multiple opportunities to aspiring esports athletes through community tournaments and informative webinars.

"Yung maganda sa current situation is, nakita niyo naman yung momentum natin, not only in the national athletes, but also pati sa commercial athletes, pagdating sa esports. I think ito yung right time, kaya na banggit din that we plan to coordinate with the different government bodies, especially with DepEd, kasi nakikita na yung value and opportunities para sa kabataan ng esports," said Leo “Jab” Escutin, Sibol general manager.

He adds, "Iba rin yung level ng mga Pilipino pagdating sa competitiveness natin sa esports. Masasabi talaga natin na yung talent nandito and hopefully, in the coming years, with the help of more partners, private and government, we can get more support."

Besides the expansion of the NGP, PeSO eyes the creation of an esports facility that serve as a venue for the national team to train, as well as for hosting events and broadcasts.

"Ang esports facility ay para sa team, para meron na tayong exclusive training facility for our national esports athletes. Gusto rin natin na yung facility na yun ay may capacity na magkaroon ng onsite events. Lastly, gusto natin matulungan ang mga taong nasa backend ng esports, yung mga gusto maging referees, gusto maging involved sa esports