The Russian authorities continue to talk about the need to support esports. The State Duma Committee on Physical Culture and Sports proposed to legislate the term “esports athlete”, and then discuss special benefits.
“Now there is not only computer sports, but also sports programming, drone racing. These sports can also be included in the concept of “esports”,” said Dmitry Svishchev, chairman of the committee, in a comment to TASS. “As soon as the concept of “esports player” is legally defined, it will be possible to talk about the integration of esports into the IT sphere and the receipt by esports players of certain benefits specific to this sphere.”
Together with esports players, companies that are engaged in the development of esports in the country will be able to claim benefits.
This is not the first time the State Duma has talked about possible benefits for esports athletes. For example, in April 2022, the president of the Russian Computer Sports Federation, Dmitry Smith, said that the State Duma would consider proposals for deferral from the army for esports athletes, the possibility for them to enter university out of competition, etc. At the same time, it was reported that special “esports companies” could be created in Russia for alternative service.