The Minister of Sport in Brazil, Ana Moser, stated that she believes Esports is a part of the entertainment industry akin to music and film and is far from being a ‘real sport’ and thus she is not going to invest into this sector, Globo.com reported.
“In my opinion, Esports is similar to the entertainment industry, it is not a sport. So, you have fun playing video games, you had fun. “Ah, but people train to do it”. Yes, they train, but just like the artist. I said these days, like Ivete Sangalo [Brazilian singer and actress] also trains to put on a show and she is not a music athlete. She is simply an artist who works in entertainment. Electronic gaming is not unpredictable. It is designed for digital, cybernetic programming. It’s a schedule, it’s closed, it’s not open, like sports,” said Ana Moser.
The former volleyball player and the Olympic medalist said that there will be no investment by the ministry into Esports.
“The issue of Esports at the federal level is not yet a reality. I have no intention [to invest in it]. As far as I’m concerned, it’s not a sport. We fought last year. I am in my previous life, at the head of Atletas pelo Brasil [a non-profit organization that works to improve sports legislation and public policies in Brazil], we took very strong action with the Legislative for the text of the General Law [of sport] not to be open enough to be able to have the Esports fitting. The text is there protecting the root sport,” said the Brazilian government’s member.
On January 1, Brazil’s new president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, took office. He has formed a new government.
The debate about whether Esports is part of the sports industry has been going on for years and the point of view changes from country to country. Recently, the Government of India officially recognized Esports as a part of multi-sports events and placed it under the responsibility of the relevant ministry.
