Garena has announced job openings for a Senior Associate in Esports Operations, based in Dhaka, Bangladesh, for its popular battle royale title, Free Fire. Despite the game being banned in the country for the past three years, the job listing’s mention of organizing official tournaments such as EWC and FFWS qualifications has sparked speculation about a potential comeback for Free Fire in Bangladesh.
Free Fire’s Possible Return After a Three-Year Ban
For those unaware, Free Fire was banned in Bangladesh by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) in August 2021, following a high court ruling that cited concerns over the game’s negative influence on youth. The ban, initially intended to last only three months, was later extended indefinitely and remains in effect.
Similarly, India also banned Free Fire in February 2022, along with several other Chinese-linked apps, citing national security concerns. This action followed rising geopolitical tensions between India and China after the border skirmish in Galwan Valley in 2020. While Garena, a Singapore-based company, is not Chinese, Free Fire’s publisher faced regulatory scrutiny due to its ties with Tencent, a Chinese tech giant. Despite initial hopes of a relaunch in India by September 2023, the game remains in the pre-registration phase with no confirmed release date.
Upcoming Global Tournaments & Possible Impact on Bangladesh’s Ban
With major esports events like the Esports World Cup (EWC) scheduled for June–August 2025 in Riyadh and the Free Fire World Series (FFWS) pre-season leagues set to begin in February 2025, the timing of this job posting has fueled optimism. If the ban is lifted, Bangladeshi professional players could regain access to the competitive scene and participate in these global tournaments.
As of now, there is no official confirmation regarding Free Fire’s return to Bangladesh or India. However, Garena’s recent hiring efforts could indicate that the publisher is actively working on resolving concerns raised by government authorities to facilitate a potential relaunch in both countries.
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