FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Katowice, July 1, 2023 – The President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda, raised the curtain on the inaugural European Games Esports Championships at a grand opening ceremony at the GEF_Arena on Friday night. The President declared the #EGE23 open with the showcase of GEF Anthem – #worldconnected Together.
Paul J. Foster, CEO of the Global Esports Federation (left), presented the President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda, with a GEF Trophy during the opening ceremony of the inaugural European Games Esports Championships. Photo by: Ben Queenborough, Global Esports Federation.
The competition, co-created and organized by the Global Esports Federation and the European Olympic Committees, takes place at the GEF_Arena, International Congress Centre (MCK), Katowice, on Saturday, 1 June, and Sunday, 2 June.
The #EGE23 event runs alongside the 3rd European Games, with 100 athletes from 28 countries across Europe participating. The athletes, coaches, and judges’ community recited the GEF Athlete’s Pledge during the opening ceremony as a symbolic gesture of commitment, unity, shared values, and personal responsibility towards the event.
Athletes and teams compete for trophies in two top esports titles – eFootball™ 2023 (Open and Women) and Rocket League (Open). Qualifications take place on Saturday, with grand finals on Sunday.
The opening ceremony took place on Friday evening at the GEF_Arena, with those in attendance including President of the European Olympic Committees, Spyros Capralos; Minister of Sport and Tourism of the Republic of Poland, Kamil Bortniczuk; Honorary President of the Polish Olympic Committee, Andrzej Kraśnicki; Deputy Chair of the Management Board of Metropolis GZM, Henryk Borczyk; Deputy Mayor of Katowice, Waldemar Bojarun; Chair of the EOC Coordination Commission for the 3rd European Games, Hasan Arat, and Chief Executive Officer of GEF, Paul J. Foster.
“I was born and raised in Krakow, the capital city of the European Games, and in a certain sense, the Polish capital of sports,” said President Duda. “However, it was Katowice that was the host of the first great Polish gaming event, back in the 1990s. Thousands of young people came to the Games Fair, to see cutting-edge technology.
“Esports is a sports discipline today, accompanied by all the Olympic ideals. Fair play, integrity, and noble competition of young people. I wish all the best to all the participants. From Katowice, a message is sent all over the world, that the games are open, and that they are going to last.”
Paul J. Foster, CEO, Global Esports Federation, added, “Today is a historic day for esports and sport and our #worldconnected community.
“It signals the coming together of people across Europe, bridging tradition and innovation while looking ahead to the dynamic opportunities of a brighter future, together.
“The European Games Esports Championships were co-created from an inspiring strategic partnership between the Global Esports Federation and the visionary leadership of the European Olympic Committees.”
Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Science of UNESCO, Gabriela Ramos, shared her excitement and passion for the inaugural staging of the #EGE23, via a video message from Baku, Azerbaijan, where she has been hosting UNESCO’s Global Sports Conference, MINEPS VII.
Katowice, Capital City of Esports in Poland
The Opening Ceremony of the inaugural European Games Esports Championships.
Photo by: Ben Queenborough, Global Esports Federation
Honorary President of the Polish Olympic Committee, Andrzej Kraśnicki, said, “It is this moment that I should address the dear friends of esports. We all have esports in our hearts, and we welcome you to Katowice, the capital city of esports in Poland.
“When we heard the decision of the EOC and GEF, we decided to immediately agree to organize it here, in Katowice. We are very open to the community and grassroots initiatives. We are looking forward to some fantastic days.”
President of the European Olympic Committees (EOC), Spyros Capralos said, “Today is a very exciting day for the EOC, for gamers, for sport, for Poland. And it is an exciting day for me too.
“This is the first time the EOC has hosted an event like this. We are curious to see how it works in a social context, and in the context of a multisport games. Curiosity drives us to learn. It drives us to explore the boundaries of mental and physical performance.
“Athletes, I echo my words from the opening ceremony of the European Games, with a reminder of Olympic values, which are universal values. We look forward to the excellence you will show in the following days.”
Catch All the #Esports Excitement at GEF_Arena, MCK, Katowice
Athletes and Delegations have been staying at GEF_House (Courtyard by Marriott) since Wednesday. Along with visitors, they have been enjoying the GEFestival, which promises much interest and variety and runs until Sunday.
There are lectures, workshops, a “Just Dance” tournament, a Sim Racing area, retro gaming zone, and a university esports competition.
GEFcon, GEF’s global convention of thought leaders and idea creators in business, esports, sport, and technology on an international stage for sharing and learning, kick-started Day 1 of #EGE23 with panel discussions on Esports and Europe, as well as the Convergence of Sport, Esports, and Technology.
Follow the #EGE23 by watching live at the GEF_Arena at International Congress Centre, Katowice, or stream the event LIVE on GEF Twitch, GEF YouTube, EOC Channel, Douyu, Douyin and Huya in China.
For more information on the tournament and GEFestival activities schedules, visit www.globalesports.org/ege23.
>> European Games Esports Championships Photo Gallery
About the Global Esports Federation
From our world headquarters in Singapore and strategic hubs around the world, the Global Esports Federation promotes the credibility, legitimacy, and prestige of esports. Powered by our universal values and Member Federations, we convene athletes, players, developers, publishers, community partners, and sporting organizations on one inclusive platform.
In addition to a prestigious global event portfolio, together with our strategic partners, we collaborate on a series of Global Social Impact Initiatives (GSII) to create positive social impact.
Inspired by our motto – #worldconnected – our mission calls for the development of tangible initiatives that are in service to the world’s esports community. www.globalesports.org