IOC rejects allegations Ng Ser Miang mixed ‘his many positions with family business’, says he followed the rules

Mr Ng had not been directly involved in the development of esports in the IOC until “very recently”, the IOC said.

The development has been driven by the IOC Esports Commission, of which Mr Ng has “never been” a member.

The commission also steered the Olympic Virtual Series 2021 and the Olympic Esports Series 2023, which culminated in the Olympic Esports Week 2023.

“The Olympic Esports Week was hosted in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, Sport Singapore and the Singapore National Olympic Committee (SNOC),” said the IOC.

“Mr Ng was not a member of the organising committee of the Olympic Esports Week. He co-chaired the steering committee together with the responsible minister.”

It added that all key decisions regarding the Olympic Virtual Series 2021 and the Olympic Esports Series 2023, including the selection of the game titles, were taken by the IOC Executive Board based on proposals from the Olympic Esports Commission and in cooperation with the relevant IOC departments.

It was also the Esports Commission that presented the proposal to create Olympic Esports Games to the IOC Executive Board and the IOC Session in the summer of 2024.

Recently, Mr Ng was appointed as chair of a joint committee of the IOC and the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SOPC) to steer the Olympic Esports Games. This was because his expertise was “fully known and appreciated”, said the IOC.

“His connections to the industry were declared in full transparency in the IOC Declaration of Interests Form,” the IOC added.

“While the steering committee is working to prepare the decision on which games will be included in the Olympic Esports Games, the final decision will be made by the IOC Executive Board and/or the IOC Session.”

The committee said that, as a “general point”, the involvement of IOC members with the relevant expertise and networks, which are fully declared, is something which is to be welcomed in any area of operations.

In response to CNA queries, the SNOC on Thursday said it was not in a position to comment on matters relating to the IOC Ethics Commission or any complaint that may have been lodged with it.

“We have no information regarding the report in question and are therefore unable to confirm its accuracy or the nature of the alleged complaint,” the SNOC said.

CNA has contacted Mr Ng and the Global Esports Federation for comment.