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The Asian Racing Federation’s Council on Anti-Illegal Betting & Related Financial Crime (ARF Council) announced today that it has expanded its membership to include three new experts to support integrity in racing and other sports:
- Mr. Kim Kelly, former Chief Stipendiary Steward, The Hong Kong Jockey Club;
- Mr. Michael Phelan, former CEO, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC); and
- Mr. Luca Esposito, General Secretary, United Lotteries for Integrity in Sport (formerly Global Lottery Monitoring System) / Executive Director, World Lottery Association.
All three have significant experience in upholding integrity of racing and other sports or combatting financial crime.
Martin Purbrick, Chairperson of the ARF Council said that “Mr. Kim Kelly is one of the most respected Stipendiary Stewards in the world of horse racing. Kim’s membership will be of great benefit to the Council’s work as it seeks to highlight how the racing model of integrity works effectively to counter the negative influence from illegal betting markets, as well as provide guidance on how horse racing’s stewarding model in racing works alongside betting analysis to detect issues in the sport and react appropriately. Mr. Michael Phelan is one of the most senior former law enforcement officers in Australia, having had a career of more than 30 years with the ACIC as well as the Australian Federal Police (AFP). Michael is a lifelong horse racing fan and will strengthen our efforts to show how horse racing has the most effective approach to integrity of all sports. Mr. Luca Esposito is a valuable addition to the Council due to his knowledge and experience of technology in betting and he brings further alignment between the ARFCouncil and the legal betting industry regarding the problem of illegal betting.”
With the addition of these new members, the ARF Council now comprises 24 experts in sports and racing integrity, law enforcement, academia, and intergovernmental relations.
About the ARF and the ARF Council
The ARF is a regional federation comprising 28 national racing authorities and racing-related organisations from across Asia, Oceania, Africa and the Middle East.
The ARF is formally linked with the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). Australia, Hong Kong and Japan have permanent seats representing the ARF on the Executive Council of the IFHA, and the ARF also nominates one of two rotational positions on the IFHA Executive Council.
Horse racing is a participation sport with riders who are exceptional participant athletes. Racing as a sport brings positive social outcomes, which are education (of participants), employment, economic productivity, and public participation (of large audiences across societies where racing takes place).
The above contributions made by ARF members result in a wide range of positive societal benefits. These are the result of a sport operating within clear legal boundaries and supporting legal licensed betting products that are part of the entertainment around racing. This legal basis is a key part of our belief in the importance of a positive economic and social contribution by the sport of horse racing.
The Asian Racing Federation Council on Anti-illegal Betting and Related Financial Crime (ARF Council) was established in 2017 as a think tank aimed at combatting illegal betting and related financial crime. The ARF Council now comprises 24 members from organisations engaged in horse racing and sports integrity, law enforcement, the United Nations, and academia.
The ARF Council’s purpose is to research and share the scale and negative impacts of illegal betting, particularly as it relates to horse racing and sports integrity, and to foster international collaboration among stakeholders, such as horse racing operators and authorities, gambling regulators, law enforcement agencies, and government policy makers to raise awareness of the threat and to combat the negative impact of illegal betting and other financial crimes to horse racing, other sports, and to society.
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Esports Officially Recognized As A Sport In India
In a major win for the Esports community in India, the Indian government has officially recognised Esports as one of the sports.
Esports will now fall under the purview of India’s Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports while the broader gaming industry will be governed by India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. The change clearly establishes Esports as a sport from the generally perceived category of gaming.
Esports’ inclusion in the multi-sports category by the Indian government also means that the recognised Esports tournaments might attain the same status as other offline sporting events in the country, like national-level tournaments.
Congratulating the Indian Esports community, Mr. Kenneth Fok, President of the AESF said, “Today is a great day for Esports enthusiasts - fans and athletes alike. The AESF is thrilled to wish a heartiest congratulations to the Indian Esports family. This is no mean feat which redefines the sport and allows a broader range of athletes to see themselves represented on a global stage.”
“Under the exceptional leadership and support by the President of India, Hon’ble Smt. Droupadi Murmu ji and Prime Minister of India, Hon'ble Modi ji, I am sure this is just the beginning, and we would also like to convey our utmost excitement for the Indian Esports scene moving forward,” he added.
Reacting to the news, Lokesh Suji, Director, Esports Federation of India & Vice President of the Asian Esports Federation (AESF) said, "Great news for us to begin the New Year. We have been constantly working on establishing the difference between Esports and Gaming, and finally, our efforts have been fulfilled. We welcome this announcement by our government under the leadership of Hon'ble PM Modi ji, which will open new avenues to pour in more investment opportunities in this booming industry. From now onwards, we will have to build the proper infrastructure, training facilities and coaching for our young Esports athletes. Only a short time until we see Esports being placed in the same league as cricket, football, basketball, etc. and having similar fan power, scale and craze.”
Esports competed at the 2018 Asian Games as a demonstration sport, where Indian HearthStone athlete, Tirth Mihta, bagged a bronze medal. Esports will debut as an official medal sport at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou.
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