ITV

Category: Television

  • Zee Zest announces the second edition of the Unlimit Awards in 2024

    Zee Zest announces the second edition of the Unlimit Awards in 2024

    Mumbai:  Zee Zest, India’s leading lifestyle platform is all set to return with the second edition of the highly anticipated Zee Zest Unlimit Awards 2024. The awards will recognize and felicitate those who inspire innovation, progress, and challenge the status quo; exemplifying the boundless possibilities in the world of food, travel and lifestyle.

    In an era where there is a strong craving for originality, genuineness, and groundbreaking ideas, the Unlimit Award celebrates those trailblazers who are reshaping the definition of innovation in the F&B, travel and hospitality industries. The awards presents an exhilarating array of categories, including Cuisine, Beverages & Nightlife, Travel and individuals . The winners will be decided by a combination of jury selection and viewer’s choice via voting process.

    The previous edition included trailblazing establishments like Izumi,Goa, The Craftery Subko, Mumbai, Avartana at ITC Royal Bengal, and Sidecar,Delhi among others winning the Unlimit awards. These awards stand as a level playing field, welcoming any establishment that has made significant strides in the realms of food, travel, and lifestyle to nominate themselves. It’s an inspiring opportunity for establishments of all scales to shine in the spotlight, gain well-deserved recognition, and set new benchmarks.

    An esteemed panel renowned for their significant contributions to the industry will meticulously assess and scrutinize entries across every category, while consumers cast their votes for their preferred choices to determine the victors. The jury – a mix of culinary and beverage experts, authors and filmmakers, influencers, photographers, and music artists will evaluate the entries based on their understanding and expertise in the industry.

    The illustrious jury panel includes renowned names of the industry like chef Ranveer Brar, food expert and chef Vinesh Johny, chef and restaurateur Anahita Dhondy, celebrity chef and TV presenter Shipra Khanna, actor and TV presenter Maria Goretti, chef and food historians Rakesh Raghunathan, Chef Ajay Chopra, content creators Ashwin Rajagopalan and Indrajit Lahiri, entrepreneur Aneesh Bhasin, musician Anish Sood, photographer Ajay Sood, influencer Nivedith Gajapathy, travel and food writers Anurag Mallick and Priya Ganapathy, Indian filmmaker Hansal Mehta, advisor for craft spirit Priyanka Blah, head programming at Zee Zest Srikant Malladi.

    The process of inviting nomination begins from 15 October – 29 November 2023. A total of 18 categories are open, encompassing top luxury hotels to resorts, cafes to QSRs, and fine-dining restaurants to the best nightclubs. Below is the list of categories –

    QSR

    Speaking of the event, Zee Zest chief channel officer Amit Nair said, “The Zee Zest Unlimit Awards aim to celebrate individuals who epitomize the ‘Unlimit’ perspective and establish fresh standards within the realms of food, travel, and lifestyle. These accolades pay tribute to those who spark innovation, drive advancement, and push the boundaries of conventional norms. For establishments, registering for the Zee Zest Unlimit Awards is not merely participation; it is an invaluable opportunity to etch their mark in the annals of excellence..”

    The second edition of Zee Zest Unlimit Awards is a golden opportunity for industry members to celebrate and honor those who have set new benchmarks in their respective fields. 

  • Eveready & ZEE join hands for a first-of-its-kind brand collaboration

    Eveready & ZEE join hands for a first-of-its-kind brand collaboration

    Mumbai: Eveready, a trusted name in the world of batteries has partnered with ZEE, India’s leading content company to promote its new range of batteries. As part of the brand collaboration, Eveready ULTIMA will feature prominently on ZEE’s popular and homegrown reality shows, including Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Dance Bangla Dance, Dance Karnataka Dance and Telugu medium I school.. ZEE’s linear channels that are an integral part of the brand association are Zee TV, Zee Sarthak, Zee Tamil, Zee Marathi, Zee Bangla, Zee Kannada and Zee Telugu.

    Eveready ULTIMA will be showcased in the reality shows, and the brand’s logo will be integrated into the shows’ set design, graphics, and on-screen promotions. The battery brand has also worked closely with ZEE to create custom content for the shows, such as sponsored segments and product challenges.

    Commenting on this announcement, Eveready Industries India Ltd Sr VP and SBU head (batteries and flashlights) Anirban Banerjee, “We have recently unveiled our new and improved Ultima range of batteries supported by a 360 campaign ‘Khelenge Toh Sikhenge’. The campaign highlights that children in any family can learn valuable life lessons like caring, sharing, love and equality when playing in daily life with battery operated toys. Thus to keep the child’s play ongoing effortlessly, our new 400% longer lasting Ultima batteries are just perfect. Our collaboration with ZEE seamlessly aligns with the campaign’s objective and values, as majority of ZEE’s shows are packed with energy, fostering a blend of entertainment while actively nurturing the young talents. Eveready is committed towards its mission to empower the youth with the essential support they require for a brighter and more promising future, and our partnership with ZEE amplifies our ability to achieve this noble endeavour.”

    Adding to this, Starcom India COO Niti Kumar said, “At Starcom, we believe that a successful product launch requires a powerful platform that maximises consumer engagement and brand visibility. Such a key communication pillar was vital to drive home Eveready’s new message. ZEE’s reality shows enjoy immense popularity among Indians, which makes it a strong channel for brand collaboration. Accordingly, we forged this first-of-its-kind strategic partnership, which not only introduces Eveready’s robust product offerings but also harnesses ZEE’s expansive reach across diverse regions, languages, and content formats.”

    Eveready ULTIMA recently launched its campaign, ‘Kheloge Toh Bahut Kuch Seekhoge’, which highlights the exceptional longevity of Eveready ULTIMA batteries, perfectly suited to power the modern gadgets and appliances that have become an integral part of daily lives.

  • Jharkhand Women’s Asian Champions Trophy Ranchi 2023 to be broadcast live on Sony Sports Network

    Jharkhand Women’s Asian Champions Trophy Ranchi 2023 to be broadcast live on Sony Sports Network

    Mumbai: Hockey fans get another chance to watch the Asian Games Bronze Medalist Women’s Hockey team in action as the leading sports broadcaster, Sony Sports Network, is the official broadcaster and Sony LIV is the official streaming partner of the Jharkhand Women’s Asian Champions Trophy to be held in Ranchi from 27 October 2023 to 5 November 2023.

    The continental tournament will feature India alongside Japan, China, Malaysia, Korea and Thailand and will entail a total of 20 matches. The tournament will start with a match between Japan and Malaysia on 27 October 2023, from 4:00 pm IST onward while the Indian Women’s Hockey Team under the able leadership of Captain Savita and her deputy Deep Grace Ekka will play their first game against Thailand on 27 October 2023, from 8:30 PM IST onward. With Asian Games Gold medalist China also in the fray, the Indian team will vie for a stronger show in their backyard and lift the trophy for the first time since 2016.  

    Sony Pictures Networks India chief revenue officer – distribution & International business and head – Sports business Rajesh Kaul: “After the medal-winning performance of our women’s team at the Hangzhou, Asian Games, it gives us immense pleasure that we are getting another opportunity to bring high-octane field-hockey action to the fans with the best from Asia battling it out for glory at the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy and that too in India. We are looking forward to a successful tournament and hope that we will be able to attract a new set of fans to the sport.”

    Hockey India president Padma Shri Dr Dilip Tirkey: “We are delighted to have Sony Sports Network as the official broadcaster for Jharkhand Women’s Asian Champions Trophy Ranchi 2023. The women’s team has had a successful campaign in Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games winning the bronze medal and will continue to strive for better in this tournament. Hockey fans will be delighted to watch leading Asian countries vying for top honours in this tournament and with Sony Sports Network on board, we urge everyone to watch our team fight for glory.”

    With its commitment to bringing some of the best action from the Indian sporting arena, Sony Sports Network continues to showcase some of the leading international action featuring Indian athletes after the Asian Games with the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy.

    Watch all the action from the Jharkhand Women’s Asian Champions Trophy Ranchi LIVE on the Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV from 27 October 2023, 4:00 pm IST onward.

    For the latest updates from the world of sport, follow the Sony Sports Network on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

  • Viacom18 LIVE presents ‘Vh1 Lift Off’, India’s newest culture platform

    Viacom18 LIVE presents ‘Vh1 Lift Off’, India’s newest culture platform

    Mumbai: Viacom18’s experiential & LIVE entertainment business, Viacom18 LIVE, more popularly known as the official curators of Vh1 Supersonic (India’s first multi-genre music & lifestyle festival), are all set to introduce another unique and experiential festival, ‘Vh1 Lift Off’. This new IP will be a landmark event that is set to bring together a host of experiences and sub-cultures, elevating India’s urban cultural scene.

    Set in the cultural hub of the country; Mumbai, Vh1 Lift Off is set to redefine the experiential and urban cultural landscape in India. As a celebration of 50 Years of Hip Hop and built with its culture and its community at heart, the IP aims to work towards creating a platform which is both relevant and beneficial to creators, brands, and consumers alike. Its first edition will focus on sub-cultures like art, fashion/street fashion and dance, while music and Hip Hop, will be at the heart of it. Addressing a unique gap in India’s experiential urban sub-culture landscape, Vh1 Lift Off, unlike any other large-scale culture platform in the country, broadens the narrative beyond music and encompasses a multitude of subcultures. It speaks directly to the youth of today, offering an additive cultural experience that resonates with their diverse interests.

    Viacom18 Live head Gaurav Mashruwala said, “At Viacom18, we take pride in setting the stage for a new and unparalleled cultural experience with our latest IP, ‘Vh1 Lift Off’. Vh1 Lift Off is a platform that allows us to broad-base the narrative beyond music and speak to varied subcultures and communities all at once, with the idea of ‘lifting them off’ through this platform. We are happy to bring this unparalleled experience in the culture space, knowing fully well that brands associate with the youth and sub-cultures, and therefore giving an opportunity for them to work with each other at such a large scale.”

    Viacom18 live promises to continue entertaining its audiences and fans with its iconic IPs including Vh1 Supersonic and assures to amp up the entertainment quotient with culturally relevant properties like Vh1 Lift Off in a bid to enable brands to deepen connect with consumers.

  • TV18’s news business registers 20 per cent revenue growth in Q2 FY24

    TV18’s news business registers 20 per cent revenue growth in Q2 FY24

    Mumbai: TV18’s news business has registered a solid 20 per cent revenue growth in the second quarter of the current financial year.

    Beating the industry trends, India’s largest TV news network registered a revenue of Rs 3 per cent 7 crore in the first quarter of current fiscal, as compared to Rs 298 crore for the same period last fiscal.

    The increase in the revenue comes on the back of strong viewership gains achieved by the network’s number-one channels. The news network maintained absolute leadership in the largest markets, with an all-India viewership share of 11.4 per cent.

    The digital news business of TV18 and Network18, which includes brands such as Moneycontrol, Firstpost, cnbctv18.com and news18.com, also saw a 20 per cent growth in revenue. It posted a revenue of Rs 104 crore in the second quarter of current fiscal, as compared to Rs 87 crore for the same period last fiscal.

    In Q1 FY24 also, the TV news network registered 26 per cent revenue growth, as compared to Q1 FY23.

    News18 was the highest-reach news network in the country, reaching 190mn consumers on a weekly basis. The network maintained its leadership position in key markets with CNBC TV18, News18 India, and CNN-News18 being number one in their respective genres.

    CNN-News18 was the number one English news channel with 32.8 per cent market share in the genre.

    CNBC TV18 continued to be the undisputed leader in the English Business News genre with 80 per cent overall share and nine per cent per cent plus viewership share during market hours.

    TV18 was also the primetime leader in the Hindi-speaking markets, solidifying its position as the network of choice in the region. The network had leadership in per cent regional markets, including UP/Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, MP/Chhatisgarh. News18 Lokmat, the Marathi language channel, climbed the viewership charts to become the second-ranked channel, driven by the programming initiatives launched over the past year.

    “TV news network delivered a strong growth in advertising revenue despite the continued weakness in advertising environment. The revenue growth was underpinned by the strong viewership share that the network has achieved which has helped it to improve pricing across the network. TV18’s sharp focus on building IP- events business has also helped it drive growth in revenue,” the company said in its results announcement.

     

  • TV18’s news vertical registers 20 per cent revenue growth in Q2 FY24

    TV18’s news vertical registers 20 per cent revenue growth in Q2 FY24

    Mumbai: TV18 Broadcast Ltd has announced its results for the quarter ended 30 September 2023.

    Viacom18 becomes ‘the destination’ for sports in India

    Viacom18, in its quest to become the primary destination for sports in India, continues to  aggregate rights of leading sports properties. With acquisition of exclusive media rights for  the BCCI International and Domestic matches, it has become the home of India cricket. The  rights include international men’s, women’s, and other domestic first-class competitions like Ranji Trophy. Viacom18 acquired both the Indian sub-continent and global television and  digital rights for the next 5 years for Rs 5,963 crores.

    As the most loved sports in India, cricket (BCCI, IPL) will enable the Company to drive a  step jump in audience footfalls, especially on JioCinema, as live sports consumption  continues to pivot towards digital. Broadcast rights will strengthen the Company’s channel  bouquet and will enable it to broaden its broadcast content portfolio and serve quality content to all its viewers. With the new features launched during IPL, Viacom18 has enhanced the Indian viewer experience like never before, and it will continue to drive  innovations to delight its audience.  

    Viacom18 also added the Indian Super League, the highest level of the Indian football league  system, to its portfolio. With a constellation of marquee sports properties like IPL, WPL,  Olympics 2024, SA20, Major League Cricket (MLC), Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT), NBA,  Diamond League, World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023, MotoGP, La Liga,  Ligue1, Serie A, Abu Dhabi T10, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, and top BWF events,  Viacom18 has established itself as India’s #1 destination for sports.

    JioCinema takes the entertainment streaming game to the next level

    JioCinema is quickly scaling up as one of the leading streaming platforms for entertainment  content. The second season of India’s most popular reality show in a digital-exclusive  format, Bigg Boss OTT, became the biggest ever reality show on digital, with record  concurrency and voting during the finale. The season wrapped up with 100 mn viewers  consuming 30 bn minutes of content on smartphones and CTVs. User engagement was at  an unprecedented level with 5.4 bn votes logged through the season, highlighting the scale  and connect of the show with users. The grand finale was the most streamed live  entertainment event in India with 23 mn viewers and a peak concurrency of 7.2 mn. During  the 15 minutes live voting window for selecting top 2 finalists, 250 mn votes were received. • Popular network reality shows also saw an exponential growth in digital consumption. Khatron Ke Khiladi S13 saw 2x viewers and 1.5x video views compared to the previous  season and Roadies S19 delivered 7x viewers and 4x watch-time of the previous season. • Original shows released during the quarter also garnered wide reach and engagement.  Taali (starring Sushmita Sen) featured in ‘Top 10 OTT Originals of the Week1’ for more than  5 weeks in a row. The show reached a record 20 mn viewers in the first week of release.  Kaalkoot also featured among ‘Top 10 OTT Originals of the Week1’ for 3 weeks in a row  and was watched by 25 mn viewers.

    TV18 News Network maintains dominance in key markets; Entertainment network share  strengthened viewership share by 50 bps

    TV18 News continued to be the highest reach network in the country, reaching ~190 mn  people around the country every week. The network maintained its leadership position in  key markets with CNBC TV18, News18 India, and CNN News18 being the #1 channels in their respective genres. TV18 was also the leader in primetime in the Hindi speaking  markets, solidifying its position as the network of choice in the region. The network had  leadership in 5 regional markets, including UP/Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, MP/Chhatisgarh.  News18 Lokmat, the Marathi language channel, climbed viewership charts to become the  second ranked channel, driven by the programming initiatives launched over the past year.  

    TV network share increased by 50 bps to 10.5%, driven by the performance of Sports and  Movies channels. Colors was the #2 channel in primetime with 18% market share and exited  the quarter with 2 of its fiction shows featuring in the top 10 list. Colors Kannada continued  to be a strong #2 channel in the Kannada genre. Viacom18 Studios released Rocky Rani  Ki Prem Kahani and OMG 2 during the quarter, and both the movies were commercially  successful as well as critically acclaimed.

    Strong growth in revenue as the company continues to make investments in growth  businesses

    TV news network delivered a strong growth in advertising revenue despite the continued  weakness in advertising environment. Excluding government initiatives, the news industry saw  a decline in ad inventory consumption. News18’s revenue growth was underpinned by the  strong viewership share that the network has achieved over the last eighteen months which  has helped it to improve pricing across the network. TV18’s sharp focus on building IP events business has also helped it drive growth in revenue.

    Viacom18 saw a sharp growth in advertising revenue in Sports and Digital segments. Sports  revenue was driven by the two cricket series – West Indies vs India and India vs Australia. Digital revenue was led by original shows like Bigg Boss OTT, Taali, Kaalkoot and TV network shows like Khatron Ke Khiladi. Advertising demand in the entertainment broadcast  segment continues to be soft as spending by consumer goods companies and new-age clients remains weak.

    EBITDA declined as the business made investments in growth verticals – Sports and Digital.  Both these verticals require investments in the near term to build a strong consumer  proposition which will help the Company rise to the leadership position in the cluttered media  landscape. We are building a strong catalog of entertainment content which will leverage  the exponential increase in audience traffic that sports enables. Our endeavor is to make JioCinema the default destination for consumers across the country looking for quality  content.

    TV18 chairman Adil Zainulbhai said, “We continue to take giant steps towards building  the network of choice for Indian consumers. With India cricket rights, Viacom18 now has the  biggest portfolio of sports properties, making it the default choice for sports fans. Our news network  has fortified its positions across the markets which bodes well as we head into the festive season  followed by elections. Our focus continues to be on providing quality content to audience and as  India’s only network with presence across news, entertainment, and sports, we are in a unique  position to serve customers across the country and demographic cohorts.” 

  • Talod Foods welcomes Samit Shah as chief operating officer

    Talod Foods welcomes Samit Shah as chief operating officer

    Mumbai: Talod Food Products Private Limited (TFPPL) is thrilled to welcome  Samit Shah as its chief operating officer, effective from 16 October 2023. Samit Shah is an MBA Gold Medalist and brings over 21 years of extensive experience in sales marketing, business strategies and business growth, brand solutions, Experiential marketing, and more. His impressive journey includes his most recent role as Vice President and Regional Director of Impact Properties (Activation, Events, Sponsorships) and digital business at Radio Mirchi (ENIL) for the West and South India Regions.

    Samit Shah’s journey started with Radio Mirchi as the head of marketing, and he quickly climbed the ladder, showcasing his exceptional leadership. Prior to his role at Radio Mirchi, he also contributed his expertise as a Team Lead in Trade Marketing and Operations at Coca Cola India and he started his career with One Advertising Services Ltd as a Sr. Executive Client Servicing post his MBA.

    Shah’s ‘business growth’ strategy aligns perfectly with Talod Foods’ commitment to innovation and excellence. His strategic thinking, exceptional leadership, and extensive experience are expected to play a pivotal role in driving the company’s growth and success in the competitive food industry. Talod Foods and the company look forward to leveraging his expertise to continue delivering exceptional products and experiences to its customers.

  • Matrix Fight Night announces multiple sponsors for MFN 13

    Matrix Fight Night announces multiple sponsors for MFN 13

    Mumbai: Matrix Fight Night is set to host its 13 editions on 28 October at Noida Indoor Stadium with Sanjeet Budhwar in line to defend his Featherweight title against Shyamanand in what promises to be a thrilling main event. Darkhanbek Ergeshov will also defend his Welterweight title against India’s Jason Solomon in the co-main event. Ahead of the fight night, Matrix Fight Night announced a number of sponsors for MFN 13, onboarding AIO media solutions as the associate partner for the upcoming edition along with; Build Prowl Supplements, USI Universal, Motherland Hospital Noida, Crowne Plaza Greater Noida, Knack Beverages, MMA Matrix Gym, and BHI Fitness.

    BUILD.Prowl CEO  Soumava Sengupta said, “BUILD. Prowl is proud to be the Nutrition Partner of the MFN event. MFN is doing a fantastic job of promoting MMA in India. MMA is a highly skilled sport that requires athletes to be in their prime as far as fitness is concerned. BUILD. as a brand is designed to be the architect of fitness. Our brand ambassador Tiger Shroff really embodies this brand philosophy. Our BUILD. PROWL range of products brings to the Indian consumers high quality, Informed Sport certified, delicious tasting, affordable products that help them build their own fitness goals. Just like MFN brings to India the finest of MMA. So, this partnership is committed to bring Indian audiences the best of experiences that global audiences get.”

    MFN 13 have also onboarded Crowne Plaza, Greater Noida, as the hospitality partner and they will host the MFN team upon their arrival.

    Speaking on the partnership, Crowne Plaza Greater Noida general manager Sharad K. Upadhyay,, said, “We are delighted to announce that Crowne Plaza Greater Noida is once again joining hands with MFN for the second time, reaffirming our commitment to supporting the world of sports. As a hotel that prides itself on offering exceptional hospitality, we find immense joy in aligning with organizations that share our passion for excellence. We look forward to another successful collaboration with MFN, and together, we aim to elevate the sports industry to new heights.”

    Matrix Fight Night 13 will take place at the Noida Indoor Stadium, Sector 21, on 28 October and will be live-streamed on Disney+Hotstar from 6 PM IST, with a massive live audience expected to be at the show.

  • Consumer tech brand ACwO and India’s Football Team Captain Sunil Chhetri join forces

    Consumer tech brand ACwO and India’s Football Team Captain Sunil Chhetri join forces

    Mumbai: India is playing and winning in every sector, whether it is development, economy, sports, or space; India is on a different level in every field. Now betting big on India’s digital and overall growth, especially among Gen Z and young adults, Sunil Chhetri, Captain of the Indian Football Team, now teams up with a new audio brand ACwO. Launched as a proud Made In India brand, ACwO aims to empower and elevate consumers’ lifestyles, powered by innovative technology. Honouring Sunil Chhetri’s iconic number 11 jersey, ACwO is gearing up to introduce an extraordinary lineup of 11 TWS earbuds, each boasting more than 11 remarkable features including environmental noise cancellation, equaliser modes, lag-free movie experience, gaming ready with ultra-low latency, long battery life, backed up by ReALmAh technology, snug fit, and more. These earbuds have been designed to resonate with the dedication and spirit of Sunil Chhetri, making this range truly iconic as Number 11. Supporting the launch, and featuring Chhetri, AcwO’s maiden brand film showcases its core vision, ‘Ab India Khelega’.

     

     

    Making its presence felt, Sunil Chhetri’s support and the resounding proclamation of ‘Ab India Khelega’ underlines his belief in the potential of Indian originality, positioning ACwO as a significant milestone in his journey as a proud brand ambassador of both India’s growth and innovation. Together, ACwO and Sunil Chhetri are set to rewrite the narrative of ‘Ab India Khelega’ promising a brighter and technologically advanced future for consumer lifestyle.

    Launched as a D2C brand, ACwO stands for creative brilliance and aims to reshape the smart gadgets and accessories landscape while contributing to India’s GDP. With a wide range of TWS products, ACwO aims to target and enhance every consumer’s lifestyle. With the strategic launch in the midst of the festive season, ACwO will also roll out a cross-media campaign to create awareness of the brand, and its offering, by leveraging Sunil Chettri’s popularity and fan base.

    Speaking on the launch, the Captain of the National Football Team, said, “It’s always nice to be associated with a brand that is proudly made in, and for India. ACwO is doing some fantastic things on the tech and lifestyle front and through this association, I am keen to see and be a part of all that comes out from the ACwO stables.”

    With a focus on innovation and quality, ACwO envisions India as a global hub of creative-tech excellence. Going forward, ACwO is committed to introducing various gadgets with a total focus on enhancing the overall lifestyle of consumers.

  • India’s eFootball ace Hemanth Kommu qualifies for Global Esports Games 2023

    India’s eFootball ace Hemanth Kommu qualifies for Global Esports Games 2023

    Mumbai: Showcasing his gaming prowess against the continent’s best athletes, Hemanth Kommu (peshemak7) produced scintillating performances to prevail in the Asian qualifiers and secure his spot at the prestigious Global Esports Games (GEG). With South Asia having only two slots for the GEG 2023, Kommu performed to the best of his abilities to emerge as one of the representatives from the region.

    In a dominating journey towards qualification, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) alumnus clinched impressive victories against Bangladesh (2-0), Maldives (2-1), Nepal (2-0), and Sri Lanka (2-0) in the best-of-three matches. The 26-year-old’s only defeat came against Pakistan in a closely contested 1-2 loss.

    Expressing his excitement about the qualification, Hemanth Kommu commented, “I am thrilled and honoured to have secured a spot at the Global Esports Games 2023. The Asian qualifiers were intense, but I was able to secure qualification with my dedication and relentless practice. This will be the second consecutive year that I will be representing India at the tournament and I hope to achieve a podium finish this time. I am grateful to the ESFI for their support and hope to make our country proud in Riyadh.”

    Kommu secured his qualification to the Asian qualifiers after being crowned champion of the National Esports Championships (NESC) 2023 organized by the Esports Federation of India (ESFI). The high-voltage qualifiers witnessed the participation of India’s 18 eFootball 2023 athletes, including the country’s representative at the recently concluded World Esports Championships 2023, Ibrahim Gulrez.

    “We would like to congratulate Hemanth Kommu for his outstanding performance in the Asian qualifiers and for securing a spot at the GEG 2023. Being a well-renowned name within the eFootball 2023 landscape, we believe his journey will inspire the country’s next generation of athletes to excel in the title. We look forward to Hemanth’s performance on the global stage and are confident that he will bring laurels to the nation,” said The Esports Federation of India (ESFI) director and Asian Esports Federation vice-president Lokesh Suji.

    One of the country’s top sports and Esports communication agencies, Artsmith-Concepts & Visions, will continue its support to the Esports Federation of India as its official communication partner.

    The Global Esports Games 2023, a flagship event of the Global Esports Federation will be staged in Riyadh in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from December 12-17, 2023. The global, multi-title Esports competition will feature four major titles: DOTA 2, Street Fighter, eFootball 2023, and PUBG Mobile, and will witness the participation of over 950 athletes hailing from more than 100 nations and territories across the globe.

    Alongside Kommu, India’s Street Fighter 6 athlete Mayank Prajapati (MiKeYROG) also came close to securing a spot in the Global Esports Games but narrowly missed out on the qualification. Mayank, who recently represented India at the Asian Games 2022 in Street Fighter V: Champion Edition, won three of his five games in the qualifiers and missed out on the global finals only by two points.