Hong Kong to send gamers to inaugural FIFAe Nations Cup in Denmark
- The five-member team will be the first esport football squad to don Hong Kong colours at a world level tournament
- Selection starts on March 13 with the final in April before the team is picked for the world event in Denmark in August
Hong Kong may be far away from reaching the World Cup football finals, but they will have a chance to compete at the highest level in esports at the 2021 FIFAe Nations Cup.
For the first time, a five-member esport team will be selected to represent Hong Kong in the inaugural tournament in August in Denmark, where they will rub shoulders with the world’s best gamers and compete for more than US$500,000 in prize money.
“This is the first time the Hong Kong Football Association will send an esport team and to an official event under the world governing body,” said Eric Fok Kai-shan, vice-chairman of the association and the FA’s esport committee chairman. “Esport has gained huge popularity in recent years and we are happy to have the opportunity to work together in the cyber world to help promote football culture and sportsmanship.
“We know Hong Kong has produced many quality football gamers. They now have a chance to prove themselves at a bigger world stage.”
Hong Kong are among the stronger teams in the region, but China, Japan and South Korea have dominated football gaming in Asia. Football gamers in Europe are even better with France winning the 2019 event when Fifa staged its first competition featuring 20 teams in London.
Selection for the Hong Kong team started on Monday with interested applicants over 16 years old of either sex who hold a Hong Kong passport welcome to participate. Organisers are hoping to recruit 1,000 gamers, who will then battle for the five final spots.