Charmaine Crooks has been appointed as the chair of the Global Esports Federation's new Athletes and Players Commission ©Global Esports Federation

The Global Esports Federation (GEF) has announced the composition of a new Athletes and Players Commission.

The new commission focuses on inclusion, fair play, education and the development of career pathways for athletes and players.

Its aims are in line with GEF’s overall mission to convene the world’s esports ecosystem through a connected world.

The new commission is being chaired by Canadian Charmaine Crooks, vice-president of the GEF.

Crooks is a five time Olympian who won silver as part of the women's 4x400m relay team at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Crooks is also a founding member of the International Olympic Committee's Ethics Commission and is a former member of the IOC's Athletes Commission.

Koen Schobbers, a Dutch professional gamer and esports athlete will serve as the commission's vice-chair.

"I am thrilled to bring my experiences as an Olympian, administrator, and entrepreneur with a deep passion for sport and technology," said Crooks.

Aerial Powers, a female basketball player in the United States, who describes herself as an esports influencer, is part of the new Athletes and Players Commission ©GEF
Aerial Powers, a female basketball player in the United States, who describes herself as an esports influencer, is part of the new Athletes and Players Commission ©GEF

"Together with Koen, we will advise the GEF Board and help shape the organisation, convening this incredibly inclusive community, and uplift the lives of so many through the Global Esports Federation development platforms and #worldconnected outreach."

The newly formed commission will advise the GEF Board on matters relating to representation of international esports athletes, focusing on championing the role of athletes and facilitating the players community engagement with the GEF. 

It will also oversee the staging of a global platform to convene athletes and players through various sharing and learning platforms, esports competitions and tournaments.

Other members of the Athletes and Players Commission are Ukrainian professional tennis player Sergei Bubka, who is the son of former pole vaulter Sergey Bubka and Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) player with the Washington Mystics Aerial Powers, who describes herself as a global influencer in esports.

“My life is not one thing or another," said Powers.

"I am a WNBA athlete, I am a gamer and I love the competition and the community.

"I am ecstatic to join Global Esports Federation and the Athletes and Players Commission to power a stronger #worldconnected."

The GEF was launched in December 2019 in Singapore with the aim of developing the credibility, legitimacy and prestige of esports within wider society.