The Agency of Youth and Sport took the decision after the MESF implemented sports standards in accordance with nation's sports laws and adapted its internal structure.

The "decision for activity" was passed from Naumche Mojsovski, director of the Agency for Youth and Sport of North Macedonia, to Boban Totovski, the MESF President and secretary general of the International Esports Federation (IESF).

North Macedonia becomes the 66th country to formally recognise esports, according to the MESF.

"I am truly honoured and pleased that today the esport federation becomes officially a part of the Macedonian sport," Mojsovski said.

"I am glad that we agree on all the conditions and future challenges."

He emphasised that the Agency for Youth and Sport would continue to support all sports in the country and congratulated the MESF on the work put in to receive this recognition.

"We are recognising your talent and strong desire for great success, and I wish you as young people to continue further with the same enthusiasm," Mojsovski added.

"We are looking forward to sharing all our future achievements together."

The MESF was set up in 2009 and is an IESF member.

Last year saw a major breakthrough for North Macedonia on the international stage when national representatives became European and world champions in the combat game Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.

"When we first started the mission to formalise the esport back in 2005, we honestly did not expect it to take 17 years," Totovski said.

"We never lost our hope and motivation to achieve the goal to formalise esport as a sport.”