On September 28, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) stated that esports will continue to be featured in the Asian Games and that it will continue to support the development of Asian esports. This statement appears to contradict the resolution passed by its Executive Board in 2024 to remove esports from the official competition program after the games.
On November 26, 2024, the OCA Executive Board passed a resolution proposing to remove esports from the official competition program of the Asian Games after the conclusion of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, and to hold a separate Asian Esports and Mind Sports Games instead. The resolution document stated that the decision was unanimously approved by the Executive Board.
During the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) also signed a host city contract with Kuwait, announcing that the inaugural Asian Esports and Mind Sports Games will be held in Kuwait in 2027.
Regarding claims that esports will withdraw from the Asian Games, OCA Director General Husain Al Musallam stated via the official WeChat account that esports will continue to be part of the Asian Games. The OCA clarified that it has not issued any announcement regarding the removal of esports from the Asian Games, and such claims are inconsistent with official arrangements; furthermore, holding a separate Asian Esports and Mind Sports Games will not diminish the status of esports within the Asian Games framework.