Following a breakdown in negotiations with Saudi Arabia to host the Olympic Esports Games, IOC President Kirsty Coventry has initiated a 'Pause and Reflect' period to reassess the Olympic Movement's approach to esports. The project, initially slated for 2025 and later 2027, faced challenges including disagreements over governance, federation recognition (particularly involving the Global Esports Federation and International Esports Federation), and adherence to Olympic principles. An ethics complaint against IOC member Ser Miang Ng further complicated matters. South Korea is now exploring a potential bid, sparking debate on the compatibility of esports with Olympic governance. The IOC emphasizes a need for strategic adjustment and clearer direction moving forward.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is facing allegations of a conflict of interest involving Ng Ser Miang, a long-standing IOC member, regarding the upcoming Olympic Esports Games. A legal firm, acting on behalf of anonymous whistle-blowers, has petitioned the IOC Ethics Commission to investigate Ng's involvement, citing that his children have financial ties to Refract Technologies, a company that co-developed the video game Virtual Taekwondo, which was featured in the 2023 Olympic Esports Week. Ng chairs the Finance Commission and leads the joint committee overseeing the 2027 Olympic Esports Games in Riyadh. The IOC has defended Ng, stating that all members disclose their interests and that the final decision on games inclusion will be made by the Executive Board or the IOC Session. Concerns are also raised about Ng's past sanction by World Sailing in 2022. Wider concerns loom over the Olympic Esports initiative itself, particularly regarding the niche nature and lack of established competitive ecosystems for the games under consideration. Refract Technologies is also linked to the Global Esports Federation, where Ng's son serves on the board, and Tyrone Seward, husband of IOC President Kirsty Coventry, has held a board position.

The IOC is under scrutiny regarding potential conflicts of interest involving former IOC Vice-President Ng Ser Miang in the lead-up to the 2027 Olympic Esports Games in Riyadh. Allegations center on Ng's influence over the selection of disciplines, particularly Virtual Taekwondo, developed by Refract Technologies where his son is a director. While the IOC maintains Ng has fulfilled his obligations and decisions lie with the Executive Board and IOC Session, concerns persist about transparency and impartiality. Virtual Taekwondo, developed with World Taekwondo, aims to bridge tradition and innovation.