Category: Sports

‘Here We Play’ anthem ignites excitement for Meghalaya Games 2024

Mumbai: Meghalaya Games 2024 is set to make a resounding start as it unveils its official anthem, “Here We Play,” a harmonious collaboration between Shillong-based folk fusion outfit Summersalt and Tura’s NOKPANTE. The anthem, a cultural blend of English, Khasi, Garo, and Pnar languages, encapsulates the vision of the Government of Meghalaya, promoting unity through sportsmanship and diversity.

In an exclusive event at Tura, the launch of the anthem added a symphony of excitement to the upcoming Meghalaya Games scheduled from January 15 to January 20. Crafted under the West Garo Hills DC Initiative for the Department of Sports & Youth Affairs, Government of Meghalaya, the anthem carries the essence of Meghalaya’s rich cultural tapestry, making it a unifying force for communities across the state.

Honourable chief minister of Meghalaya Conrad K Sangma said, “The anthem ‘Here We Go’ embodies the values of unity, perseverance, and the indomitable Meghalayan spirit. May it echo through stadiums, inspire our athletes to push their limits, and create lasting memories for all who participate and witness the Meghalaya Games.”

Hon’ble Minister of Sports & Youth Affairs, Government of Meghalaya Shakliar Warjri while unveiling the anthem song stated, “The anthem encapsulates the essence of unity, passion, and the unwavering determination that defines our Meghalaya Games. It is a testament to the Vision of Hon’ble Chief Minister to harness the power of sports in bringing people together, transcending boundaries, and fostering a sense of pride in our rich cultural heritage. I extend my gratitude to the talented individuals, Summersalt and NOKPANTE, who have contributed to the creation of this anthem that will resonate in the hearts of our youth, encouraging them to strive for excellence and embody the true spirit of sportsmanship.”

The lyrics, composed by Kit Shangpliang of Summersalt, along with Mikhael Marak from NOKPANTE, weave a motivational narrative echoing the values of hard work, discipline, and resilience. The orchestration, led by Augustine Kurbah, incorporates indigenous musical elements, creating a rhythm that mirrors the heartbeat of Meghalaya.

Summersalt’s Kit Shangpliang expresses gratitude for the collaboration, stating, “As a band, we have taken many similar projects in recent past, but this one has been a labour of love. The melody is hummable, the rhythm foot-tapping, and the lyrics motivational. Our partnership with NOKPANTE has been seamless, and we thank the District Administration for their trust.”

NOKPANTE’s Mikhail Marak added, “We’ve made it a point to incorporate the Garo and Khasi chants to inject indigeneity into what we’d like to believe is a big song, also, being intentional to have equitable representation of the musical identities of both Khasi and Garo hills. We hope the crowd, especially, the sports community like it.”

‘Here We Play’ will be played throughout the Meghalaya Games 2024 and beyond, becoming the anthem for the event and accompanying medal ceremonies. The convergence of victory chants, symbolized by ‘Hoikiw’ and ‘Ahowee,’ reflects Meghalaya’s dedication to sports excellence.

Meghalaya Games has evolved into a premier sporting event, providing a platform for over 3,000 athletes across 19 disciplines. The success of the fourth edition in Shillong showcased the state’s commitment to nurturing sporting talent, with 700-plus medals awarded to outstanding individuals and teams. As Meghalaya Games 2024 approaches, the unveiling of ‘Here We Play’ heralds a celebration of unity, diversity, and sporting prowess of the state.

January 6, 2024
The state of the game: LoL Esports in 2024

Mumbai: Welcome to League of Legends Season 2024! We can’t wait to kick off the 14 seasons of LoL Esports, and we’re here to share the latest updates.

Global Competitive Changes

Enhancing the stakes around competition is one of the goals that we have been focused on for our international events. In 2023, we made format changes to both MSI and Worlds that eliminated matches that did not contribute to the outcome of the tournament. For 2024, we want to continue increasing the stakes around MSI and want to create a stronger connection between MSI and Worlds.

This season, we will set a base of 3 Worlds slots for the LEC, LCS, LCK, and LPL. The PCS and VCS will each retain two Worlds slots, and the LLA and CBLOL will each retain one Worlds slot. With these changes, we will be introducing new ways for teams and regions to show their strength and earn additional Worlds slots through their performance at MSI.

For the first time, the winning team at MSI will be awarded a guaranteed spot at Worlds, which also counts as an additional slot for their region. The next best-performing region at MSI will secure an additional seed for their region. To ensure that the team that qualifies early for Worlds remains committed to success in their home league, they must qualify for their region’s Summer Playoffs except for the LEC, where the team would qualify for the LEC Regional Finals.

To use the MSI 2023 results as an example, JDG would auto-qualify to Worlds, allowing a total of 4 LPL teams to qualify for Worlds. And the next best-performing region – the LCK in the case of MSI ‘23 – would secure an extra Worlds 23 seed, for a total of 4.

We’re hopeful that these adjustments will up the stakes and establish a meaningful throughline between the two tentpole moments across the LoL Esports season: MSI and Worlds.

MSI & Worlds 2024 Locations

MSI 2024 will be held from 1-19 May in Chengdu, China. This is the first time we’ve brought a global LoL Esports event to this vibrant city. Check back soon for updates on tickets, schedules, and more!

Last year in Korea, we announced that Worlds 2024 will return to Europe, with the Finals taking place in London, England, at the iconic O2 Arena. Today, we are ready to share where the other stages of the tournament will take place!

We’ll be kicking off Worlds in Berlin at the newly remodelled Riot Games Arena for the Play-Ins and Swiss Stages. Then, we’ll head to the Adidas Arena in Paris, France, for both Quarterfinals and Semifinals.

Worlds 2024 will take place from 25 September to 2 November, and we’ll be back throughout the year with updates on how you can get in on all the action.

Hall of Legends

As we embark on the 2024 season, we’re proud to commemorate 14 remarkable years of LoL Esports. Throughout this decade-plus, we’ve witnessed pro players from around the world leave their mark, displaying incredible resilience, mastery of League of Legends gameplay, and inspiring millions of fans across the globe. To celebrate those who have made a lasting impact on the game, the sport, and the community while concurrently honouring their legacies, we are proud to introduce the LoL Esports Hall of Legends.

There are several pro players worthy of being inducted into our unique version of a Hall of Fame. We gathered an independent voting panel of esports industry veterans and experts from every region to vote and select our very first inductee.

Each year, those inducted into the Hall of Legends will have their historic careers celebrated both IRL and in-game! We are currently collecting votes and will have more to share in the coming months, so stay tuned.

Regional Start Dates

And finally, our regional leagues are gearing up for the start of the 2024 competitive season:

1. LEC: Jan 13

2. LLA: Jan 16

3. LCK: Jan 17

4. PCS: Jan 19

5. LCS: Jan 20

6. VCS: Jan 20

7. CBLOL: Jan 20

8. LPL: Jan 22

Lots of great LoL Esports moments in store this season! GLHF on your season start climbing! Be sure to tune in to watch all your favourite regions compete at lolesports.com.

January 5, 2024
IDCA announces maiden T-10 Women’s Deaf Premier League in Mumbai

Mumbai: The Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA) is organising the first T-10 Women’s Deaf Premier League in Mumbai from 8 to 11 January 2024.In its inaugural edition, six specially-abled women’s teams from different parts of the country will compete on the field to clinch the coveted Premier League trophy.

IDCA president Sumit Jain commented, “We are grateful to Serum Institute of India, Cyrus Poonawalla Group, Nykaa & Indo Count for their wholehearted support to our movement of supporting hearing impaired Women players in our forthcoming tournaments in 2024. IDCA is proud of our women players, these are athletes despite their commitment to their home & families have brought immense pride to society & have excelled in the field of Cricket.”

The four-day tournament will kick off with a special opening ceremony organised on Monday, January 8 at 9 AM at Police Gymkhana Cricket Ground, Marine Lines, Mumbai, Maharashtra. In this four-day tournament, six Deaf women’s cricket teams – Punjab Lions, UP. Warriorz, Mumbai Stars, Delhi Bulls, Hyderabad Eagles and Bangalore Badshahs – will play a total of 11 matches before making it to the finals.

The two best teams will face each other in the final match scheduled for 11 January 2024.

Serum Institute of India founder chairman, and IDCA T-10 Women’s Deaf Premier League Support partner Dr Cyrus S Poonawalla said, “We are delighted & committed to extend our support for the first T-10 Women’s Deaf Premier League 2024. It will help to motivate the specially-abled youth of the country to dream big and strive hard to achieve their dreams as nothing is impossible. We are looking forward to a long partnership with the brand.”

The winning team and the players will be felicitated for their exceptional performance at the closing ceremony to be held on 11 January at 4 PM. The IDCA T-10 champions will receive a prize of Rs 1, 00,000, while the runner-up will get Rs 50,000. The best individual sportsmen in categories such as batting, bowling, fielding, super sixes will receive cash awards.

Supporting the tournament, Nykaa Foundation said, “IDCA T-10 Women’s Deaf Premier League is an exceptional platform for specially-abled women players to showcase their incredible talent. This initiative will help raise awareness among specially-abled players across the country to pursue their passion and aim for the stars in the world of sports. Additionally, it will foster a sense of empowerment and inclusivity within the sports community. We are excited to support IDCA once again in this initiative and look forward to the upcoming tournament.”

IDCA CEO Roma Balwani added, “The excitement of playing in Mumbai & competing in the home ground of stalwarts of cricket is truly special. IDCA believes in celebrating diversity & inclusion through disability sports, especially cricket. We thank all our support partners, state associations, for their belief in our endeavor to promote deaf cricket both in India & Internationally. We salute each woman player for their grit & resilience to prove their sportsmanship on the cricket field besides being homemakers. Best wishes to all these amazing women participating in specially-abled sports.”

Corporate partners, KFC India, Hero MotoCorp, Indo Count, CoLearn and Kaizzen are supporting IDCA for the upcoming tournament.

Watch the tournament live on YouTube channel, IDCA.TV.

January 4, 2024
Top NRI athletes welcome PM Modi’s vision for Pravasi Sports

Mumbai: Indian golf legend Arjun Atwal has welcomed honourable prime minister Narendra Modi’s vision for Pravasi Sports. Atwal, who is the only Indian to win on the coveted PGA Tour, shared his thoughts with the Holistic International Pravasi Sports Association (HIPSA), the first organization to be exclusively set up with an aim to promote and ‘Integrate’ PravasiBhartiya youth with their motherland through the medium of Sports.

Speaking from his home in the USA, Atwal further said, “I have always appreciated PM Modi and this vision of Pravasi Sports has a special significance for me and my family. I’m still playing golf and have another five years to go and I would be delighted to play in India. Both my sons are basketball players and we as a family would be elated if they can come and play in India and connect back to their roots. Going forward, a Pravasi vs Nivasi competition would be even more exciting to have.”

HIPSA is planning several tournaments involving overseas Indian youth and recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Haryana government for the development and promotion of Kabaddi, in particular focussing on overseas Indian women Kabaddi players. The ultimate aim being to push for the inclusion of Kabaddi in the Summer Olympics.

Pravasi Sports Leagues in Women’s Kabaddi & Cricket are also in the plans for 2024 and the captain of the 2012 U-19 ICC World Cup winning Indian cricket team Unmukt Chand, is among its first backers. The cricketer who now plies his trade in the USA, said, “The Prime Minister’s vision for sports competitions for PravasiBharatiyas is very inspiring and gives us all a chance to stay connected to our roots. The concept of a Pravasi Sports League is very promising, especially as it promotes fitness, enthusiasm and the spirit of reconnecting to your motherland.”

The prime minister back in 2019 in a meeting with the sports fraternity, had envisioned and had desired to find a way to conduct Sports competitions for talented Pravasi Bharatiya youth in India.

Earlier in 2017, addressing the 14th edition of the PravasiBharatiya Divas in Bengaluru, Modi had said, “I welcome all young Pravasis. You must stay connected with India and return over and over again. This is your home.”

Recently, All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey, had revealed that they were looking to approach 24 Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) to explore the possibility of them being selected for national duty. However, dual citizenship still remains a contentious issue and the need for an initial bridge between talented overseas Indian athletes engaging through sport with their country of origin seemed to be the need of the hour.

HIPSA, through its objectives, will look to act as that bridge and try and give talented overseas youth a first feel of playing regularly in India.

January 4, 2024
IPL Auction 2024 delivers record-equalling TV viewership on Star Sports

Mumbai: Star Sports’ broadcast of IPL Auction 2024, held on 19 December, has equalled the highest viewership for any ‘mini’ auction in BARC history. The auction, which lasted over 6 hours, was held in Dubai at the Coca-Cola Arena and was watched for a record-equalling watch time of 0.92 billion minutes. This represents a 57 per cent growth in total watch time compared to last year for the event. The live auction was watched by 22.8 million viewers, which is also 29% higher than last year. Star Sports’ broadcast of the auction in 5 languages was preceded by extensive lead-up coverage to the auction, which included expert analysis and fan activations across linear and digital platforms.

Speaking on the viewership of the TATA IPL mini-auction 2024, a Star Sports spokesperson said, “A record-breaking year for Cricket viewership on Star Sports has ended on a high with the IPL Auction. The response to the auction also serves as a stellar start to the runway for IPL 2024 and reinforces the strong association of the marquee event with Star Sports. A distinctive element in this year’s auction coverage was the integration of fan sentiment in our coverage, in sync with BCCI and IPL teams’ efforts to integrate fans into the proceedings at the venue. The success of the auction has provided an early taster of Star Sports’ coverage and substantiated our confidence in the continued growth of the marquee Cricket event on TV.”

An additional 2.2 million viewers tuned in for the overall coverage of IPL Auction 2023 beyond the live event, which included a curtain-raiser on the eve of the auction and “Cricket Live – Auction Special”, live shows before, during and after the event. The most-watched moments of IPL Auction 2024 were the headline-grabbing bidding wars for Australian stars Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, who was bought by Sun Risers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders respectively for more than 20 Crores each. CSK’s winning bid of 14 Crore for New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell also featured in the three most-watched moments from the auction.

The live broadcast of IPL 2023 was watched by 505 million unique viewers on TV across the Star network, which was the highest ever for any edition of the tournament.

January 2, 2024
Noida welcomes Pro Kabaddi League after a four year hiatus with open arms

Mumbai: Kabaddi was the eventual winner as UP Yoddhas, the franchisee owned by GMR Group representing Uttar Pradesh, returned to its home base in Noida for the Pro Kabaddi League season 10 after a long wait of four years and two seasons this year. Kabaddi fans turned up in huge numbers celebrating the spirit of Kabaddi to watch their favourite teams play at the Noida Indoor Stadium, that hosted the Noida leg of the 10th Pro Kabaddi League season 10 for the first time. With over 90% occupancy rate in the first four days of the Noida leg that kicked-off on 29 December 2023 to conclude on 3 January 2024, Kabaddi fans from Delhi NCR couldn’t get a better and a happier way to call in the New Year.

Speaking on the successful start to the home leg of UP Yoddhas, GMR League Games marketing head Sujoy Ganguly said, “We are overwhelmed to see how the fans have come out in fully strength to celebrate Kabaddi in Noida. This is a testimony to how the sport is loved and celebrated in this part of the country. As a team we are grateful to our fans who have left no stone unturned to support their team and I look forward to their continued support not just for the next few days but also the season ahead.”

UP Yoddhas started their home leg on a positive note against Bengaluru Bulls with a 34-33 win. Captain Pardeep Narwal led the team from the front as he earned the highest points (10) in the match. However, in their next two games against Dabang Delhi K.C. and Patna Pirates, the Yoddhas missed out on victory despite Captain Pardeep Narwal’s stellar performances and are currently ranked tenth in the standings with 21 points in their kitty.

January 2, 2024

Ladakh administration and Royal Enfield announce teams for the inaugural Ice Hockey League

Mumbai: The Administration of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Ice Hockey Association of Ladakh and Royal Enfield, the global leader in the mid-size (250cc-750cc) motorcycle segment, revealed the names and logos of 15 teams that will take part in the first-ever Royal Enfield Ice Hockey League in Ladakh from 3 to 13 January 2024. The revelation was done via a spectacular road show with Royal Enfield riders being flagged in by Sonam Chosjor, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Leh. The riders rode from the NDS Sports complex to the Leh main market that is at the heart of the city. During the event, official jerseys were handed over to the respective captains of the 15 participating teams, of which 10 are men’s and five are women’s. The start of a competitive league specifically for the civilian population of Ladakh will go a long way in scouting and nurturing local talent from rural areas of Ladakh.

Training and selection camps were set up across five of the seven zones of Ladakh, – Changthang, Leh (which also includes camps for Nubra and Zanskar), Sham, Drass and Shakar Chiktan. Players and teams that will participate in the League have been selected from these zonal camps by a committee comprising members from the Department of Youth Services & Sports (DYSS), Ice Hockey Association for Ladakh (IHAL), Ladakh Women Ice Hockey Foundation (LWIHF), zonal heads and local Ladakhi coaches.

The Royal Enfield Ice Hockey League has been initiated to create a competitive environment to grow the sport from grassroot levels, which is also in line with the roadmap laid out in The Game Changer – Blueprint for the Development of Ice Hockey in Ladakh. The Blueprint was launched earlier this month in the presence of Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Hon’ble Union Minister of Information & Broadcasting and Youth Affairs & Sports, and dignitaries from Ladakh. Commissioned by the Administration of UT Ladakh, the Blueprint was created by Royal Enfield with the collaboration of all stakeholders and has been reviewed by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). It looks at a holistic development of the sport and is a step towards realising the ambition of fielding an Indian Ice Hockey contingent at the 2042 Winter Olympics.

Royal Enfield is currently working with all stakeholders to grow winter sports particularly Ice Hockey across the Himalayas. In Ladakh, Royal Enfield has already supported the development of the sport by providing equipment and training with a ‘train the trainer’ programme where 20 coaches were trained by coaches brought in from Germany. More than 500 children have been provided training in ice skating, which is the starting point for anyone aspiring to play ice hockey. Additionally, ice hockey kits have been procured and will be distributed to players who don’t have access to sporting equipment. Royal Enfield is also working with the Ice Hockey Association of India and the Ice Hockey Association of Lahaul to set up training camps and host the Royal Enfield Spiti Cup in Himachal Pradesh this winter.

The teams and their key players who will take part in the first-ever Royal Enfield Ice Hockey League are as follows:

United Nubra 1. Manager Padma Stanzin 2. President Sherab Paldan 3. Captain Tsewang Stanzin 4. Vice-Captain Tashi Chotak	Sham Eagles 1. Captain Sonam Angmo 2. Deachen Dolkar Assistant captain 3. Rigzin Dolma Assistant Captain 4. Manager Spalgon	Sham Wolves 1. Captain Stanzin Chospel 2. Nima Doejey Assistant Captain 3. Tsetan Gurmet Assistant Captain 4. Manager Spalgon
Shakar Chiktan Royals 1. Captain Ashiq Hussain 2. Zakir Hussain Assistant Captain 3. Assistance Captain Syed Mehdi 4. Manager Liyaqat Ali	Shakar Chiktan Queens 1. Captain Khairun Nissa 2. Tsewang Lhaldo Assistant Captain 3. Tashi Angchuk Manager	Humas Queens 1. CaptainKhalida Banoo 2. Stanzin Nyidon Assistant Captain 3. Mohd Amin Manager
Changla Lamo 1. Captain Tsewang Chuskit 2. Diskit C Angmo Assistant Captain 3. Thinles Angmo Assistant Captain 4. Dorjay Namgyal Manager	Maryul Spamo Leh 1. Captain Padma Chorol 2. Namgyal Wangmo Assistant Captain 3. Tundup Namgyal Manager	Changthang Shans 1. Chamba Tsetan Captain 2. Lundup Dorjay Assistant Captain 3. Namgail nurboo Assistant Capatin 4. Manager Dorjay Namgail
Changla Blaster 1. Captain Padma Namgail 2. Tashi sangdup Assistant Captain 3. Konchok Namgail Assistant captain 4. Manager Jigmet stanzin	Humas warriors 1. Captain Wasim Bilal 2. Nasiruddin Assistant captain	Zangskar Chaddar Tamers 1. Captain Nawang Dorjay 2. Stanzin Gyalak Assistant Captain 3. Manager Pasang Lawang 4. Lobzang Wangyal Team Coach
Purig warriors 1. Captain Sajad hussain 2. Nawaz Ali Assistant Captain 3. Manager Nissar Hussain	Maryul Spawo 1. Captain Padma Thinles 2. Coach Tsering Sangay 3. Manager- Jigmet Namgyal	Kangs Sings Leh 1. Captain Stanzin Angchuk, Kurja 2. Coach Tsewang Gyaltsan 3. Manager- Stanzin Namgail

January 2, 2024

Indian players gear up for Yonex-Sunrise India Open 2024

Mumbai: With the Race to Paris 2024 heading into its final stretch, Indian shuttlers will have an excellent opportunity to earn valuable points and stake claims to Olympic berths across categories at the Yonex-Sunrise India Open Super 750 to be held at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi from January 16-21, 2024.

Asian Games gold medallists Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty and bronze medallist HS Prannoy will aim to boost their position in the world ranking ahead of the Paris Olympics while the likes of former world number one Kidambi Srikanth, 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Lakshya Sen and the up and coming Priyanshu Rajawat will be gunning for the second Indian spot at the Games.

According to the Paris Olympics qualification rules, two Indian men’s singles players can participate in the Games only if both of them are ranked among the top 16 at the end of the qualification process that ends on 30 April 2024.

The Yonex-Sunrise India Open, organised by the Badminton Association of India (BAI), was upgraded to Super 750 category from Super 500 last year which means that the players can earn significantly higher ranking points in their quest for Olympics qualification.

It has also meant that almost all the Top-10 players in current world ranking will be in action at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall and badminton lovers can enjoy watching them in action on all six days for free as the BAI has decided to keep the entry free.

Looking forward to yet another fantastic week of quality badminton, BAI general secretary Sanjay Mishra said, “The BAI has consistently maintained a very high standard of preparation for the India Open and that has ensured that it is now a Super 750 level event. This means that all our Olympics hopefully will have a good chance of using the home conditions to earn valuable points and even win the title. It will also be a great opportunity for fans to witness some breathtaking action as more top ranked players will be participating.”

Among the Indian stars, one among Sen and Rajawat are assured of a pre-quarterfinal spot as the young guns will face off against each other in the men’s singles opening round.

Eighth seed Prannoy will be opening his campaign against Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei and will face the winner of the match between Sen and Rajawat after clearing the first-round hurdle.

Former champion Srikanth, currently in 24th position in the Race to Paris rankings, will meet Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk Yiu in the opening round and has a potential second-round clash against defending champion Kunlavut Viditsarn of Thailand.

In men’s doubles, former champions and second seeds Satwik and Chirag will kick off their challenge against World No. 25 Fang-Jen Lee and Fang-Chih Lee of Taipei in the opening round and are expected to go deeper in the competition.

The women’s doubles combinations of Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand and Ashwini Ponnappa-Tanisha Crasto are also locked into a see-saw battle for an Olympics spot.

All England semi-finalists Treesa and Gayatri have a tough opener against fourth seeds Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida of Japan while Ashwini and Crasto, who made three back-to-back finals to end 2023 on a high, will face World No. 10 Thai combination of Rawinda Prajongjai and Jongkolphan Kititharakul in the first round.

Among the other high profile first round clashes, defending women’s singles champion An Se Young of South Korea will take on three-time champion Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand while Spain’s Carolina Marin will face Nozomi Okuhara of Japan in a clash of former world champions.

In men’s singles, former world champion Loh Kean Yew of Singapore will meet third seed and reigning All England champion Li Shi Feng of China while top seed Viktor Axelsen will open his campaign against Wang Tzu Wei of Chinese Taipei.

December 30, 2023
MyTeam11’s game-changing moves amidst taxation headwinds for real-money gaming: Vinit Godara

Mumbai: The Real Money Gaming (RMG) industry in India has brought about a revolutionary transformation in the world of sports. While allowing sports enthusiasts to engage with their favourite teams and athletes like never before, they have also brought in a wide variety of newer audiences, thereby generating huge additional revenue for both the sport and the sportsperson. India’s exhilarating performance at the recently concluded ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 led to a 40 per cent surge in user engagement on the MyTeam11 platform alone.

A report by Delloite FIFS highlighted the RMG industry’s potential to create over 5,000 direct and 7,000 indirect jobs. Quite the contrary however, as the GST council notification which came into effect on October 01, 2023, imposing the highest 28 per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST) on the deposits, whether one of skill or chance, acted as a huge setback. We believe no industry has ever faced a situation where tax liabilities have headed north to the extent of 400-1000 per cent in one go.

Be that as it may, MyTeam11 has always believed in thinking innovatively and out of the box to circumvent business challenges. Positive thinking often helps resolve the most difficult of problems.

The company absorbed the entire tax liability, choosing not to pass it on to the users. This showcased the platform’s dedication to provide an enjoyable and uninterrupted experience to fantasy sports enthusiasts, as also towards contributing to the overall growth of the industry.

Then from a long-term sustainability perspective, MyTeam11 came up with the real game-changer- the Fantasy Sports Network (FSN). As the industry navigated through challenges such as layoffs and closures, MyTeam11’s FSN emerged as a lifeline, particularly for the smaller players.

Operating both B2C and B2B models, the FSN provided a robust technology backbone that empowered emerging players to overcome the complexities posed by the new tax regulations. As a result, as many as 10 FSN partners today have experienced a significant reduction in their operational costs and also a remarkable 300 per cent increase in user engagement.

The true advantage of FSN lies in empowering partners and enabling them to focus extensively on marketing and promotion. This exposure extends to larger leagues, allowing them to operate efficiently with lean teams and effectively navigate challenges brought by the new GST Amendment.

There is no doubt that the industry is facing huge uncertainties. However, given MyTeam11’s spirit of innovation, the platform remains committed to driving positive change to maintain its leadership position in the RMG industry.

December 29, 2023
Top five fantasy gaming apps transforming digital entertainment in India

Mumbai: In the ever-evolving landscape of digital entertainment, these cutting-edge applications promise to redefine the fantasy gaming experience. From breathtaking graphics to innovative gameplay mechanics, these titles are set to transport players into realms where imagination knows no bounds. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a novice explorer, our carefully curated list ensures an unforgettable journey filled with mythical creatures, magical landscapes, and epic quests. As the gaming industry continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible, these applications stand out as the vanguards of the fantastical, offering players a ticket to unparalleled virtual adventures. Brace yourself for a year of enchantment, as we dive into the immersive worlds crafted by the top fantasy gaming applications.

Dream 11

In India, Dream 11 is the most widely used fantasy sports app and is currently trending the most. Users of this software can play a variety of fantasy sports, such as basketball, kabaddi, football, hockey, and cricket. Co-founded by Harsh Jain and Bhavit Sheth, Dream11 is the greatest fantasy sports app in India. With over 110 million daily users, the app has various brand ambassadors, including M. S. Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah. The company pays out about ₹250 million in wins every day.

Super4

Super4 is one of the leading cricket fantasy gaming applications. It’s built with users’ convenience in mind. Its user-friendly interface allows them to effortlessly navigate through the app, discover new games, and engage in seamless gameplay. The company prioritizes users’ safety and privacy, implementing robust security measures to ensure a secure gaming experience. Users can join Super4 on an extraordinary journey as it revolutionizes the gaming landscape in India. Super4 is there to empower, inspire, and ignite the passion for gaming. Users are encouraged to embrace the spirit of India’s own gaming app.

My11 Circle

If you have a strong interest in cricket, you really should give My11Circle a try. Renowned athletes like Rashid Khan and Shane Watson serve as brand ambassadors for the organisation, along with Sourav Ganguly, President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India. With over 13 million users, the platform is among the most reliable fantasy sports app producers in India. Additionally, the app has paid out more than ₹1 billion in prizes. There is no maximum withdrawal amount specified on My11Circle, in contrast to many other fantasy sports software platforms.

My Team11

MyTeam 11’s brand ambassador is Virender Sehwag. One can play games like cricket, soccer, football, rugby, hockey, and basketball, among others, on the platforms of the fantasy sports app development company, which offers nine different language possibilities. With over 15 million downloads, the MyTeam11 app gives over Rs five million in daily prizes through more than 100 events. In addition, MyTeam11 provides a Rs 100 welcome incentive.

Fan2 Play

The fantasy sports software Fan2Play was just released in the Indian market. Established in 2020 by Fan2Play Games Pvt. Ltd., a fantasy app development business, the quickly expanding platform lacks a predetermined design. When engaging in one-on-one challenges, users can form teams of two, three, or four players on this flexible and adaptable platform. The app additionally provides the traditional 11-player competitions. In addition, players are permitted to play with their social circles and family members and create private competitions.

December 28, 2023