State Duma deputies at the last meeting of the spring session of the working group on the development of computer sports in Russia discussed the initiative to introduce computer sports courses in schools and centers of early childhood development, according to the website of the lower house of parliament.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Sports, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the Ministry of Education, the Federation of Computer Sports of Russia, developers of computer games and game platforms.
— We will work on introducing esports classes in schools. We are in contact with the relevant departments, and they approve of this idea,” said Amir Khamitov, deputy chairman of the committee for physical culture and sports.
Dmitry Smith, President of the Russian Computer Sports Federation, added that “to begin with, it should be additional, not compulsory education.”
— For many parents, esports is still incomprehensible. If you immediately make esports classes mandatory, it will cause a backlash. And if you make it optional, I think it will be better. I emphasize that the main criterion for admission to esports courses is academic performance. Experience from other countries shows that introducing such activities into preschools produces results, Smith said.
Members of the working group also proposed reducing the age of esports. Now, training in eSports can be started from the age of 12. And to participate in competitions – from the age of 14.
Khamitov also noted that Russia needs to create its own esports ecosystem in the face of sanctions to avoid a technological lag compared to other countries.
Source : MatchTV
