Singaporeâs Ng Ser Miangâlongtime IOC stalwart, financier, and now the head of the Olympic Esports Games steering committeeâhas landed in the ethics spotlight. A London law firm, acting for an anonymous IOC-linked complainant, has formally demanded his removal, alleging a conflict of interest tied to his childrenâs involvement in Virtual Taekwondo, a likely game pick for the 2027 Olympic Esports Games in Riyadh.
The Accusation Console
The firm argues that Ngâs dual roleâsteering game selection while his son and daughter hold stakes in Refract Technologies (the developer behind Virtual Taekwondo)âruns afoul of the IOCâs ethics code. Specifically, the rule prohibits "indirect interests" that benefit close family members.
To quote their letter: Ngâs removal âis the only proper course ⦠to protect the integrity and appearance of impartiality of the Olympic Esports and its committees.â
Accountability History
This isnât Ngâs first ethics run-in. In 2020, World Sailing found him guilty of interfering in its presidential electionâa move that earned him a warning and â¬1,000 fine. The law firm cites that past blemish to suggest a pattern, raising further concern about governance standards.
IOC Response: Transparency or Projection?
The IOC counters that Ng has fully disclosed his interests, arguing there's no grounds for ousting him. They point out that Ngâs declaration through the official IOC form satisfies ethics requirements, and the final game-selection verdict lies with the IOC Executive Board or Sessionânot Ng alone.
IOC representatives also maintain that Ng has âacted in full conformityâ with norms and has abstained from any conflicting decisions.
Why This MattersâBeyond the Headlines
Esports at the Olympics is still building its governance rails. With Virtual Taekwondo positioned as a bridge between traditional sport and VR, any perceived insider advantage could taint the legitimacy of the entire initiative.
Getting the governance mix right is keyânot just for fair play, but to signal that the Olympics can adapt to digital competition without compromising its ethics.