With the developing technology and globalization, the sports field, like many other fields, has been adapted to technology and a new sports branch has entered our lives with the name of e-sports. The foundation of e-sports is based on online and offline games played with the advent of game consoles in the 1980s. In 2000, this sport started to gain popularity with the organization of good big tournaments in the field of e-sports.
With regard to e-sports in Turkey under the Youth and Sports Ministry and Turkey Digital Games Federation (TÜDOF) it was founded in 2011 but was closed in 2013. The establishment continued as the Vice President of Digital Games within the Federation of Developing Sports Branches. Then spread the world of e-sports on April 24, 2018 on the formation and growth of e-sports to Turkey, the Turkish e-Sports Federation was founded.
E-sports is defined as any kind of activity that is participated in either individually or as a team, online or offline via an electronic device.
There are 7 types of branches organized under the title of e-sports. These branches are; MOBA, FPS, RTS, Battle Royale, Sports, MMORG and Fighter.
MOBA is a genre of strategy combat video game played online. Two different teams, usually consisting of five people, aim to destroy the opposing team's energy source on a map.
FPS is a type of game in which the first person shooter player character is played through his own eyes.
RTS is a strategy game in which online players continue to play opposite each other, without waiting for each other's turn.
Battle Royale is a game of trying to survive by getting rid of a certain number of enemies in a certain area.
Sports are the versions of sports (Football, Basketball, Automobile, Volleyball, etc.) adapted to the virtual platform.
MMORG is a role-playing game played by connecting to any server.
Fighter is a type of game that represents a certain combat discipline, and tries to overcome other virtual characters chosen by other players with the virtual characters it chooses.
In order to become an athlete in e-sports, it is sufficient to be between the ages of 6 and 90 and be interested in e-sports branches.
Turkey E-Sports Federation (TESFED) is a member of the International e-Sports Federation (IeSF), the European e-Sports Federation and the Global e-Sports Federation.
International E-Sports Federation (IeSF)
The International E-Sports Federation is an international organization based in South Korea with a mission to promote electronic sports.
Although e-sports does not have a physical activity like many traditional sports, the organization, which advocates that it complies with all sports criteria set by international standards, has 95 member countries as of 2020.
European E-Sports Federation (EEF)
The European E-sports Federation (EEF) is a new federation established with 23 member countries in 2020. The aim of EEF is to develop and promote e-sports as a conscious, healthy and value-based activity. This organization aims to harmonize national frameworks to provide equal opportunities for all e-sports players in the region, regardless of amateur or professional career.
Turkey has been involved in the founding of this country as a federation.
Global E-Sports Federation
The Global E-sports Federation was established to support the credibility, legitimacy and prestige of e-sports.
It is an organization with more than 90 member federations and more than 115 global partnerships.
E-Sports License
E-sports license application;
- A written statement showing the eligibility to play sports and to participate in the competition,
- Parental permit for those under the age of 18,
- 2 current passport photos for individual license and
- 3 current passport photos for club license
and Youth and Sports Provincial Directorates or District Directorates. An e-sports license is given to those who meet the application requirements.
Those who will participate in e-sports tournaments are required to have their licenses visa every year.
E-Sports Club
In e-sports competitions, sportspeople can compete individually, as well as in groups or under the name of a club.
In order to establish an e-sports club, it is obligatory to establish a Sports Club Association in accordance with the Law of Associations.
At least 7 real or legal persons must come together to establish an association. These persons form an association charter. In this association's charter, the name and center of the association, its purpose and the working subjects and working methods and field of activity to be carried out by the association to achieve this purpose, terms and conditions of membership and dismissal from the association, the way and time of the general assembly meeting, duties, powers, voting and decision-making procedures and ways, the duties and powers of the management and supervisory boards, how they will be elected, the number of permanent and substitute members, whether the association will have a branch, if so, how the branches will be established, their duties and powers and how they will be represented in the general assembly of the association, the way in which the members will pay the entry and annual dues, the borrowing procedures of the association, forms of internal audit, how to change the statute and the method of liquidation of the assets in case of dissolution of the association must be included.
Documents required to establish an association;
- 2 organization declaration forms signed by the founders of the association,
- 2 by-laws of the association, each page signed by everyone, by the founders of the association,
- 2 copies of the founders' identity cards,
- Name-surname and information of persons authorized to receive correspondence and notifications.
These documents are given to the local administrative authority of the place where the association will be established. With the submission of these documents, the association gains legal personality.
Associations established for the purpose of sports activities are registered with the Youth Services and Sports Provincial Directorate and receive the title of the Sports Club, the title of the Youth Club after the registration of the associations established for youth activity and the Sports and Youth Club title after they are registered in two different ways.
E-Sports Competitions
E-sports competitions are held between 1 January and 31 December. Competition instructions for the competitions to be held are prepared by TESFED and announced on TESFED's website at least 10 days before the competitions.
E-sports competitions are divided into two as official and private.
Official e-sports competitions are organized nationally and internationally by TESFED. As of 2020, there are four national and two international competitions organized by TESFED.
Private e-sports competitions, on the other hand, are competitions that consist of two types, open and closed, excluding official competitions. Open competitions are organized by e-sports clubs or institutions. These competitions are open to all sportspeople. Closed competitions are organized by e-sports clubs and organizations operating in the field of e-sports. Invitations will be sent to those participating in this competition. TESFED controls the open and closed competitions and those who want to organize these competitions must get approval from TESFED. In the organization of special tournaments with awards, the special tournament organization permission fee determined by the TESFED Board of Directors must be paid.
E-sports competitions are organized in three ways as individual, team and club. Individual competitions are held in individual competitions. The group of people who complement each other as positions in competitions organized in teams and compete in competitions organized as a club registered sports clubs in Turkish E-Sports Federation affiliated sports.
In official e-sports competitions, the Organization Board is determined by the TESFED Board of Directors. In private e-sports matches, the Organization Board consists of the Provincial Representative and the Provincial Organization Committee, named by the Youth and Sports Provincial Directorates. The Organizing Board prepares and implements the annual activity report.
If the names of the clubs that will participate in the competition were changed before the official match fixtures were announced, they can participate in the competition with the approval of the Board of Directors.
E-sports competitions are managed by the referee. Objections during the competition are made in writing to the match referee by paying the objection fee determined by TESFED.
The authority to decide on postponing or relocating the competitions lies with the Board of Directors. Decisions on this matter are given at least 5 days prior notice to the participants of the competition.
Persons who do not abide by the rules and order of the competitions will be disqualified by the Organizing Committee.
The results of the competition are announced on TESFED's website.
Disciplinary penalties are imposed on managers, coaches, referees and athletes who do not comply with the competition rules.
Conditions to Become an E-Sports Referee
To become an E-Sports referee, it is necessary to attend a referee course. Required conditions for attending referee courses;
- Being a citizen of the Republic of Turkey,
- To be at least a high school graduate or its equivalent,
- Being over the age of 18 and not over the age of 50,
- Not to receive a penalty of more than 6 months at a time within the last 3 years from the Arbitration Board, General Directorate or TESFED Disciplinary Board or a ban for more than 1 year within this period,
- Not being sentenced for an intentional crime for more than six months or even if it is forgiven, it is not necessary to be convicted of crimes against the constitutional order and crimes such as espionage, embezzlement, extortion, bribery, theft, and crimes against sexual immunity, prostitution, bid rigging, smuggling, tax evasion and wrongful acquisition.
Those who successfully pass the course receive a referee license. Refereeing consists of 4 levels. These;
Candidate referees: The term of the candidate referee is 1 year. These referees may only take part in local matches.
Provincial referee: Referees who complete the term of candidate referee are promoted to Provincial Referee if deemed appropriate by the Central Referee Board. The term of the provincial referee is 2 years.
National Referee: Transition to National Referee is done with the proposal of the Provincial Referee Board, the decision of the Central Referee Board and the approval of the Federation President.
International Referee: Referees determined by the Central Referee Board from among those who have served as national referee for at least 2 years are invited to the International Referee course. Those who successfully pass the course gain the title of International Referee.
At least one referee and one observer are assigned for competitions for which TESFED is authorized.
Referees must have their visa approved every year. Otherwise, they cannot act as a referee.
Central Referee Board
It is the board that assists TESFED in carrying out the works related to the referees. A number of conditions are sought in order to be a member of the Central Referee Board. These;
- Being a citizen of the Republic of Turkey,
- Being over the age of 20 and not over the age of 65,
- To be at least a high school graduate or its equivalent,
- Not taking an active role in the E-Sports branch during his tenure,
- Not to receive a penalty of more than 6 months at a time within the last 3 years from the Arbitration Board, General Directorate or TESFED Disciplinary Board or a ban for more than 1 year within this period,
- Not being sentenced for an intentional crime for more than six months or even if it is forgiven, it is not necessary to be convicted of crimes against the constitutional order and crimes such as espionage, embezzlement, extortion, bribery, theft, and crimes against sexual immunity, prostitution, bid rigging, smuggling, tax evasion and wrongful acquisition.
The Central Referee Board consists of at least 5 and at most 7 people. Board members are appointed with the recommendation of the Board of Directors. The term of office of the board is 3 years.
Provincial Referee Board
It is another board that assists TESFED in carrying out the works related to the referees. The proposal of the provincial representative is established with the opinion of the Central Referee Board and the approval of the Federation President. The Provincial Representative is the natural chairman of this board. A number of conditions are sought in order to be a member of the Provincial Referee Board. These;
- Being a citizen of the Republic of Turkey,
- To be at least a high school graduate or its equivalent,
- Reach lawful age,
- Successfully completing the E-Sports referee training courses,
- Not to receive a penalty of more than 6 months at a time within the last 3 years from the Arbitration Board, General Directorate or TESFED Disciplinary Board or a ban for more than 1 year within this period,
- Not being sentenced for an intentional crime for more than six months or even if it is forgiven, it is not necessary to be convicted of crimes against the constitutional order and crimes such as espionage, embezzlement, extortion, bribery, theft, and crimes against sexual immunity, prostitution, bid rigging, smuggling, tax evasion and wrongful acquisition.
In provinces where the number of licensed referees does not exceed 10, there is a board established by the Provincial Representative instead of the Provincial Referee Board. In provinces with more than 10 licensed referees, the Provincial Referee Board consists of 5 members.
Suspension of Referees' Duties
Referees are suspended from working in the competitions under certain conditions. These conditions;
- Not having a license with a visa,
- Failure to comply with the general appearance rules determined by the Central Referee Board in the competitions,
- Failing to submit the reports they have written about their competitions within 24 hours,
- To be on the Board of Directors of the clubs in the competitions or to be a trainer, athlete or masseur,
- Failing in education and exams,
- To referee in competitions outside the scope of the Federation without written permission,
- If they do not manage the provincial competitions in their own provinces without an excuse, the referees are suspension to work.
Discontinue of Refereeing
Referees who want to take a break from refereeing duty, to the Provincial Referee Board, National and International Referees apply to the Central Referee Board in writing. The time for discontinue refereeing with an excuse is 3 seasons. Referees who want to take a break except for health reasons must have a season after they start working again. After the discontinue process, the referee must submit a petition to return.
Cancellation of Referee License
If the referee license is not granted a visa for 2 years without an excuse or if the referee is resigned from the referee license, the referee license will be canceled.
The referee license of the referee who does not fulfill his duty three times in a row without valid excuse or does not fulfill his duty twice without an excuse shall be canceled.
The license of the referee who does not request to return at the end of the interruption period is canceled.
The licenses of persons who are over the age of 50 or who have at least 3-term illness that prevent them from continuing his duty as a referee are canceled.
In the event that one or more of the criteria for being eligible for referee are lost, the referee license will be canceled.
The license of a referee who, for any reason, deliberately directs a biased game or makes an International Law of the Game error, is revoked.
The licenses of referees who issue false reports and provide material and moral benefits are canceled.
The referee license of the persons who make publications that degrade the refereeing or make actions that degrade the refereeing in their social life will be revoked.
The licenses of the referees who are sentenced to more than 3 months for a crime committed against the Youth and Sports Directorate, TESFED or the referees by the Disciplinary and Punishment Committee or who are punished for a disgraceful crime are canceled.
Sanctions
National and International Referees are punished by the Disciplinary Board, and Provincial Referees by the Provincial Penal Board.
The technical errors that occur in the field of playing the games of the referees are punished by the Provincial Referee Board in the provinces and by the Central Referee Board in the federation competitions.
The Referees' Objections to Disciplinary Decisions
The referees can appeal to the Central Referee Board within 15 days against the decisions made by the Provincial Referee Board. The decisions made by the Central Referee Board are final.