Esports are heading to the second largest multi-sport event, Asian Games

Esports is on its way to the Olympics, but first it has to make a stop at the upcoming Asian Games.

Chinese internet giant Alibaba has partnered with the Olympic Council of Asia to bring esports to the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, and the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. Alisports CEO Zhang Dazhong and OCA president, Ahmad Fahad Al-Sabah, announced the partnership in a launch ceremony today.

The Asian Games, also known as the Asiad, are recognized by the International Olympic Committee and described as the second largest multi-sports event after the Olympic Games. Alibaba plans to invest $150 million into esports over the next few years and hosts the World Electronic Sports Games (WESC), a multi-game tournament with $5.5 million in prize money, one of the highest paying in esports.