IOC esports chief facing scrutinity over conflict of interest claims

Ng Ser Miang, a Senior executive of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), is under scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest as the organisation prepares to select titles for its first Olympic Esports Games in 2027.

IOC Esports chief was called to be immediately removed from his role

According to a report by The Times, the concerns have emerged due to Ng’s son holding financial interests in Virtual Taekwondo, a discipline that is expected to be included in the inaugural Olympic Esports Games, which are set to take place in Riyadh in 2027. Legal representatives of London-based Joseph Hage Aaronson & Bremen LLP have formally challenged the appointment, arguing it could compromise the selection process for the landmark esports competition and calling for Ng’s immediate removal from esports-related committees. The legal team representing the clients, however, has remained anonymous, citing concerns about potential backlash.

The controversy revolves around Refract Technologies, a Singapore-based company that co-developed Virtual Taekwondo alongside World Taekwondo. According to company records, the Pearl Trust, which lists Ng Chong Geng — the IOC executive’s son — as the sole shareholder and a Refract director, owns around a third of Refract. Additionally, Ng’s daughter, Ng Xuan Hui, holds a directorship at Pearl Trust, further backing the potential family interests with the virtual discipline.

IOC Responds to Allegations

IOC responded to the allegations by explaining that the proper protocols were followed and that Ng completed the required disclosure documentation. “All IOC Members fulfill their obligations regarding declarations of interest,” an IOC spokesperson told The Times, stating that the claims were ‘unfounded’ given the existing transparency mechanisms. The organization emphasised that the final game selections will require approval from either the executive board or full IOC Session.

According to the report, the inaugural Olympic Esports Games is expected to include sailing games, motorsport titles, and Virtual Taekwondo as selected disciplines. The IOC’s approach, however, has been met with criticism due to the push of virtual sports simulations over the traditional esports titles, such as League of Legends, Counter-Strike 2, among others.