Visitors listen to commentators after a battle between international teams during the tournament of the computer game "League of Legends" on May 8, 2014 in Paris. Launched late in 2009 by American video game publisher Riot Games, "League of Legends" is a game in which teams of five players compete in a virtual arena, killing each other using different powers and equipments in the goal to capture the enemy base. According to Riot Games, more than 67 million people play each month, with peaks of more than 7.5 million concurrent players at peak hours. The game will last four days starting today. AFP PHOTO / LIONEL BONAVENTURELIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images ORG XMIT: 1123 ORIG FILE ID: 529589118

USA-Based petition signed by thousands of gamers for Esports official recognition

مايو 2, 2016

0 دقيقة واحدة

Earlier today, a petition was launched on the internet by American gamers asking the government to officially recognize Esports as a real sport. The petition has now raised more than %12 of the asked votes.

The goal of the petition is to reach 100.000 votes. It was launched because of the ongoing situation with one of the top Super Smash players Willaim ‘Leffen’ Hjelte who was deported from the US after trying to compete in the game for using a tourist Visa, as Super Smash isn’t considered a real sport with benefits.

“This petition arises from an ongoing situation regarding one of the best Super Smash Bros. Melee players in the world, William “Leffen” Hjelte. In 2015, Mr. Hjelte was deported from the United States because he was sponsored by an American company while using a tourist visa, when he needed a work visa. After applying for a P1 Visa, which is what professional athletes use to come to the US, he was denied due to Super Smash Bros. Melee not being recognized as a “legitimate” sport. Competitors in other eSports, such as League of Legends, have been approved for P1 Visas in order to travel to the US and compete. Given the precedent set with League of Legends, other eSports should be considered “legitimate” sports in order to let players come and compete in the United States.”

You can view more on the petition and sign yourself here.

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