The 2022 Asian Games, scheduled to be held in Hangzhou, China, in September, might be postponed According to the French Press Agency (AFP), director-general of the Olympic Council of Asia Husain Al-Musallam said, "No official decision has been taken by the committee until now, but there is a possibility that it will be postponed."

Al-Musallam's statement comes in wake of a COVID-19 outbreak in Shanghai, where the local government has imposed strict lockdown rules for its citizens. Hangzhou, a city populated by around 10 million people, lies near Shanghai but has not been subjected to the same lockdown rules. People from Shanghai have migrated to Hangzhou in order to continue leading lives without lockdown rules. The organization is currently monitoring the development of the situation and therefore has not made a final decision yet.

Esports' first medals

The 2022 Asian Games are set to be a landmark event for esports. At the 2018 Asian Games, esports made an appearance as a demonstration only. In 2022, a select number of games will be having full-fledged competitions with award ceremonies. League of Legends, Dota 2, Hearthstone, PUBG Mobile, FIFA Online 4, Street Fighter V, Arena of Valor, and Dream of the Three Kingdoms 2 would each host a nation-based tournament, with the winners earning an official Asian Games gold medal.

Organizing the first-ever esports competitions for the Asian Games hasn't gone smoothly at every step. Currently, South Korea is struggling with putting together its League of Legends roster after multiple fumblings from KeSPA, the designated organizer. Today, legendary League of Legends coach Kim "kkOma" Jeong-gyun announced that he is intending to resign from his role as South Korea's head coach after he criticized KeSPA's schedule and player selection procedure.

For Korean players, the event carries an even bigger significance as gold medalists will be exempt from military service.