Esports & breaking with tradition

Another fine example is sepak takraw, or kick volleyball. The sport is immensely popular in Southeast Asia and has a vibrant history. In 1990, sepak takraw was included at the Asian Games in Beijing. Since then, sepak takraw has grown not only as a sport but also in commercial and entertainment value.

"Sepak takraw is a very fashionable sport. Thanks to its development and promotion in recent years, a variety of regional competitions have emerged in Asia and across the globe. The Hangzhou Asian Games will be a milestone for sepak takraw," said Abdul Halim Bin Kader, president of the Asian Sepak Takraw Federation.

The inclusion of breaking and esports has attracted huge attention and generated a youthful buzz at the Games. Esports was included for the first time as a demonstration sport at the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia, with China winning two gold medals and one silver.

This year in Hangzhou, it will debut as an official medal sport, featuring seven competitions — Arena of Valor Asian Games Version, Dota 2, Dream Three Kingdoms 2, League of Legends, PUBG Mobile Asian Games Version, Street Fighter V and EA Sports' FIFA-branded football game.