South Africa - Recent Storyline: Esports players in South Africa are gearing up for the inaugural Olympic Esports Games in 2025, hoping to showcase their talents and skills on the global stage. Saudi Arabia will host the Olympic Esports Games in 2025, which was endorsed by the International Olympic Committee executive board unanimously. Zaid April, a member of the South African FIFA esports team for Goliath Gaming, said that the inaugural Games will help dispel any doubts about the legitimacy of esports as a real sport. Africa's esports scene surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. While it may still be a small player on the global stage, its potential is undeniable. The digital Olympics represents not only a victory for players but could also serve as a catalyst for job creation and the emergence of new businesses. Shotlist: South Africa - Recent: 1. Various of players playing esports games; 2. SOUNDBITE (English) Nick Holden, co-founder, ACGL E-sports Organization (starting with shot 1): "Olympics is one of the biggest incentives across all sport codes. People attach their life to this event, being the Olympics. And when it comes down to their commitments, it also attaches a little bit more of authority or a bit more recognition directly towards the players." 3. Various of players playing esports games; 4. SOUNDBITE (English) Zaid April, member, FIFA esports team for Goliath Gaming (starting with shot 3/ending with shot 5): "I think esports has been overlooked as not an actual sport. Some would say it's not an actual sport, but I consider it a sport because of all the hard work we have to put in, the mental work as well, because there's lots of good players as well so you have to be a step ahead of them." 5. Various of April playing esports games; 6. Various of players playing esports games; 7. SOUNDBITE (English) Zaid April, member, FIFA esports team for Goliath Gaming (starting with shot 6): "There's lots of good players that don't get a chance to make it overseas. And I'm fortunate enough to have the chance to play overseas. Now with the Olympics coming up, it gives us much more opportunity I would say, and helps us basically look forward to something or work out towards something and be able to compete." 8. Various of players playing esports games; 9. SOUNDBITE (English) Nick Holden, co-founder, ACGL E-sports Organization (starting with shot 8): "When you're an esports player, you want to be on the big stage. You want to become the professional. But I think it's the tangent opportunities that are also created from all of this. So, whether that's content creation, writing, if it's you going to be able to learn how to do some commentary or run your own business or build your own e-sports team." 10. Various of players playing esports games. [Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]