Georgia one of only 5 states to recognize esports as official high school sport

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. — Esports, or gaming, is one of the most lucrative, fast-growing sports in the world. Now Georgia is one of only five states in the country to recognize it as an official sport.

For the first time this year, gaming is sanctioned as a high school sport in the state. There are currently 50 teams competing across Georgia.

Channel 2's Kristen Holloway visited one of the teams located right here in metro Atlanta. The season is well underway for the young athletes at New Manchester High School in Douglas County.

"The energy feels like a competition... and really the level that’s it’s growing it’s surpassing all other sports," student Dajuan Holt told Holloway.

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How do the competitions work for the New Manchester team? There are three people to a team and they play to the best of five on game day.

New Manchester coach Cody Bonds told Holloway his team practices once a week at the school. But the students are learning more than just improving in the game.

"It's just teamwork, concentration and dedication. That's all the great life skills that you would want for anything," Holt said.

Bonds said that most of his team are honors and AP students and they all hope to play at the next level.

"Even in Georgia, major colleges, University of Georgia, Georgia State are starting to offer scholarships to esports teams," Bonds said.

The next match for New Manchester is set for Wednesday. If your child is interested in learning more, you can found out information about esports at the Georgia High School Association website.

Cox Media Group