The Global Esports Federation will mark its first anniversary next month ©GEF

The Global Esports Federation (GEF) will mark its first anniversary by holding the inaugural edition of the community initiative #worldconnected series.

The GEF was launched in Singapore in December 2019 and will subsequently celebrate its first major milestone next month. 

Comprising the Global Esports Convention and a global collective of esports community events, the #worldconnected series is scheduled for December 17 to 19. 

The Global Esports Convention, developed in partnership with GEF partner Sports Innovation Lab, is set to feature exclusive live webinar sessions.

Community events include a number of regional esports competitions.

"It has been an eventful year since we embarked on the mission to establish the credibility, legitimacy, and prestige for esports at the worldwide launch of the Global Esports Federation in Singapore," said GEF President Chris Chan.

"The first #worldconnected series and Global Esports Convention is truly a global platform bringing together our Member Federations and partners in support of our mission – cultivating collaborations, forging synergies, developing and growing the connections between esports and sport in communities across the world."

GEF President Chris Chan said it had been an
GEF President Chris Chan said it had been an "eventful year" since the governing body had formed ©Getty Images

Regional events are set to be hosted by the Caribbean Esports Federation Alliance, Polish Esports Association, Saudi Arabian Federation for Electronic and Intellectual Sports, United States Esports Association, Brazilian Games and Esports Confederation, Singapore Esports Association and the Lagos Esports Forum. 

"We are overwhelmed at the support from our member federations across the world in hosting this community initiative," said GEF director Kelvin Tan. 

"The #worldconnected series cements the Global Esports Federation’s commitment in developing forward-thinking and future oriented initiatives in service to the esports community. 

"We look forward to welcoming the world’s esports athletes and players in this global celebration."

The GEF, which is backed by Chinese technology company Tencent, was set up with the aim to "establish the credibility, legitimacy and prestige for esports" and build "an inclusive platform to bring together all the stakeholders from the esports industry to help shape the GEF mission and maximise the potential for esports and its participants".

It has strong links with the Olympic Movement but is rivalled by the International Esports Federation.