Esports has been one of the fastest-growing sports in Sri Lanka and was certified as an official sport in September 2019. Since then, several initiatives have been underway to support and uplift the industry.
As part of efforts to further enhance the ecosystem for Esports in the sub-continent, Bluestone acquired a 25% stake in Ingame Entertainment (IGEL) to form GamerLK – an online platform that facilitates Esports and digital entertainment in Sri Lanka and the subcontinent.
According to Esports analyst firm Newzoo, Esports had an audience of 222 million viewers globally in 2018, on par with sports like Golf, and is expected to increase to 316 million by 2021. Moreover, the International Olympic Committee is discussing the inclusion of Esports in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games as well.
Given the global potential for Esports, Bluestone believes the sub-continent market is ripe for growth and Sri Lanka provides the perfect venue for the convergence of these countries.