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Tag: Lokesh Suji

  • Union Budget 2024: Government support and tax relief key for Indian esports industry’s growth

    Union Budget 2024: Government support and tax relief key for Indian esports industry’s growth

    Mumbai: Since the Indian government’s official recognition of Esports as a multi-sport event, the industry has witnessed substantial growth as a new-age sport. The sector’s journey to mainstream recognition reached new heights with its inclusion as an official medal sport in the Asian Games 2022 and its potential entry into the Olympics.

    With finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman set to present the interim Budget for fiscal 2024-25 in the Lok Sabha on 1 February, the Esports community is optimistic about the prospects of government support.

    Esports Federation of India director & Asian Esports Federation (AESF) VP Lokesh Suji noted, “We hope to see a dedicated allocation of funds for the Esports sector, alongside incentives for Indian video game development studios. This will not only encourage innovation but also enable homegrown titles to prosper within the community. To ensure the long-term success of our Esports athletes and attract more aspiring players to pursue careers in Esports, we also hope for tax relief for athletes on winnings from Esports tournaments. ESFI will remain committed to working closely with the government to further elevate the status of Esports in the country.”

    According to the “Leveling up: State of India Gaming FY’23” report by Lumikai in collaboration with Google, the Indian gaming industry clocked $3.1 Bn in FY23 and is set to hit $7.5 Bn by FY28.

    “The Esports industry is growing at an impressive percentage and is only forecasted to grow. We hope for fair support and conducive policies from the government in the upcoming budget to further foster this growth,” said 8Bit Creatives founder & CEO and S8UL co-founder Animesh Agarwal.

    Recognizing the industry’s potential, states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Kerala are actively engaging with Esports by organizing tournaments, establishing Esports academies, and partnering with the sector’s organizations or publishers.

    Highlighting how the involvement of state governments can be leveraged to enable the development of the video gaming community, Gods Reign CEO K R Rohith commented, “We hope for the government’s consideration and support in encouraging educational programs by adding Esports into Educational Curriculums and skill development initiatives focused on gaming and Esports. This would contribute significantly to nurturing talent within the sector, aligning with the national agenda of promoting digital skills. In addition, we earnestly suggest the allocation of funds to each state government for the organization and promotion of State Esports Championships. This collaborative effort with prominent esports organisations at the state level, starting from the school level to the national level, will undoubtedly contribute to the organic growth of esports across the nation.”

    Furthermore, there is also a call to reduce the GST on esports activities from 28 per cent to 18 per cent and introduction of regulations.

    “From budget 2024, one of the major steps I look forward to is more ‘Esports’ based activities moving to 18 per cent slab (from 28 per cent slab). Apart from this, I’m also looking forward to the government encouraging more state governments to assign budgets for the growth and promotion of Esports (similar to Bihar). Lastly, more regulations in terms of in-game and tournament winnings are expected to come in,” emphasised  Alpha Zegus founder & director Rohit Agarwal.

    With all eyes on the upcoming budget, the esports community is hopeful that government support will pave the way for a sustainable and thriving esports ecosystem in India.

  • Indian Esports: Reflecting on a historic year, Outlook for 2023

    Indian Esports: Reflecting on a historic year, Outlook for 2023

    Mumbai: The year 2023 has been defined by a multitude of key events and accomplishments for Indian Esports. The ‘Leveling up: State of India Gaming FY’23’ report by Lumikai in collaboration with Google states that India was home to 568 Mn gamers in FY23. The country’s gaming market hit $3.1 Bn in FY23 and is projected to reach $7.5 Bn by FY28, growing at a CAGR of 20 per cent.

    The Indian contingent’s participation in the Asian Games 2022, where Esports debuted as an official medal sport, and the remarkable fifth-place finish secured by the League of Legends team emerged as the year’s crowning achievement that showcased the nation’s Esports prowess on the international stage. S8UL, India’s premier Esports organization, added to this triumph by winning the first-ever ‘Global Impact on Mobile Gaming’ at the MOBIES Awards as well as the ‘Content Creator of the Year award at the Global Esports Awards 2023.

    8Bit Creatives and S8UL founder and CEO Animesh Agarwal aka 8Bit Thug reflected on these milestones, stating, “The recognition on the global stage including our country’s talented contingent competing at the Asian Games 2022 and S8UL achieving unprecedented success elevated the industry’s status. The stigma surrounding gaming as a career choice has dissipated, opening new opportunities for aspiring gamers and legitimizing Esports as a viable and respected profession.”

    The year also witnessed a transformative influx of brands into the Esports ecosystem, with notable examples such as IQOO SOUL’s historic title sponsorship with Team SOUL. Animesh Agarwal highlighted the significance, saying, “The increasing involvement of non-endemic brands, their entry into the gaming space, and the rise of official tournaments have reshaped the industry’s landscape. IQOO SOUL’s title sponsorship with IQOO highlights the expanding horizons of Esports sponsorships with brands across all domains. The influx of non-endemic brands brings both financial support and broader visibility to gaming creators, organizations, tournaments, and other Esports events.”

    The amendments made to the Information and Technology (IT) Act by the Indian government played a pivotal role in distinguishing Esports from real money gaming (RMG). This recognition provided legitimacy to the sector, leading to increased sponsorships and investments.

    States like Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh have also taken proactive steps, with initiatives such as the country’s first esports academy and tournaments. Educational institutions have also embraced Esports with the inclusion of Esports in the curriculum.

    Sharing his thoughts on these developments, the Asian Esports Federation (AESF) director of Esports Federation of India (ESFI) and vice-president Lokesh Suji commented, “The future of Esports is exceptionally bright in India. Through the consistent efforts of ESFI, the Indian government officially recognized Esports as a multi-sport event and categorized it under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in December 2022. Beyond official recognition, infrastructure development is a critical factor for the sustained growth of the Esports industry. The initiatives by our government and numerous states have laid the groundwork for potential financial backing and infrastructure growth in the coming years. Esports now proudly stands alongside the traditional sports of the country, attracting more players and sponsors to the industry.”

    After its temporary hiatus, the triumphant return of Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) this year was an instrumental factor for the Indian Esports industry. Emphasising resilience and growth, Alpha Zegus founder & director Rohit Agarwal noted, “Content solutions have been our top priority in 2023, and it has been an incredible year for us. Titles like BGMI had a comeback that boosted the Esports industry by more than 4x factor, while publishers like RIOT took serious efforts and made massive investments into the Indian gaming space. In numbers, we generated more than 400 pieces of quality content for our partners and saw a 300 per cent growth in content solutions as compared to 2022. In 2024, our efforts are going to continue towards content solutions and experiential marketing, expanding our base to different regions, and bringing more quality to our work.”

    As Esports continues its ascent as a global phenomenon, the inaugural Esports World Cup 2024 and the entry of streaming giants like Netflix and YouTube into gaming signal a revolutionary shift for Indian esports in the upcoming year. The convergence of these factors coupled with other trends promises a dynamic and transformative year ahead.

  • Hemanth Kommu leads India in Global Esports Games, Faces Uruguay on 13 Dec

    Hemanth Kommu leads India in Global Esports Games, Faces Uruguay on 13 Dec

    Mumbai: After a triumphant performance in the Asian Qualifiers, India’s eFootball star, Hemanth Kommu, is set to represent the nation at the prestigious Global Esports Games 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The athlete will compete in his tournament opener against Uruguay as he looks to clinch a medal for India at the global tournament.

    Kommu, known by his gaming handle ‘peshemak7,’  has been placed in Group D for the group stage of the Global Esports Games, alongside leading eFootball opponents from Brazil, Iran, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Sri Lanka, and Uruguay. All group stage games will take place on 13 December, featuring a Round Robin best-of-three format with 28 players competing in four groups of seven. The top three players from each group will proceed to the Round of 16 playoffs.

    Additionally, the tournament will also feature a last-chance qualifier where the fourth-placed player from each group in Stage 1 will battle it out to secure qualification. Only one player will qualify for the final stage, which will be played in a Single Elimination best-of-three format.

    Sharing his thoughts and talking about his strategies for the group stage, Hemanth Kommu commented, “I am excited to take on some of the leading eFootball athletes of the world once again. The competition going to be intense, but I am ready to give it my all. My game plan will revolve around being smart and adaptable but most importantly keeping my cool under pressure. Since every opponent has their own style of gameplay, I have formulated multiple tactics and strategies based on how things go. I want to extend my gratitude to ESFI for backing me and I will do my best to make India proud by hopefully securing a medal.”

    The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) alumnus’ journey to qualification was marked by impressive victories against formidable opponents in the Asian qualifiers, including Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. The 26-year-old secured his berth for the qualifiers after emerging victorious at the National Esports Championships 2023 organised by the Esports Federation of India (ESFI) earlier this year.

    “As a prominent figure in the eFootball 2023 landscape, Hemanth has been making waves with his consistent performances and we are confident that his strategic prowess and dedication will lead to him shining on the global stage. The Esports Federation of India (ESFI) is proud to support Hemanth, and we wish him the very best. We forward to witnessing India’s flag flying high not just in Riyadh but in the world of Esports,” said Asian Esports Federation director of Esports Federation of India (ESFI) and 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, hosted by the Saudi Esports Federation (SEF) and presented by the Global Esports Federation (GEF) will be staged in Riyadh in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 12-16 December 2023. The global, multi-title Esports competition will feature four major titles: DOTA 2, Street Fighter 6, eFootball 2024, and PUBG Mobile, and will witness the participation of over 250 athletes hailing from more than 50 nations and territories across the globe. 

  • Indian Esports industry buzzes with excitement for 2024 World Cup impact

    Indian Esports industry buzzes with excitement for 2024 World Cup impact

    Mumbai: In a landmark announcement, Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and prime minister of Saudi Arabia declared the creation of the Esports World Cup, set to kick off in the summer of 2024 in Riyadh. The event promises to reshape the Esports landscape and enable the sport to usher in a new era of opportunity and competition for gamers worldwide.

    The Esports World Cup will be replacing Gamers8, a renowned Esports festival held in Saudi Arabia. In this year’s edition of Gamers8, there were 20 different competitions across titles such as League of Legends, Fortnite, DOTA 2, FIFA 23, Rainbow Six Siege, PUBG Mobile, and Starcraft II amongst others.

    Furthermore, the event boasted an unprecedented prize pool of $45 million, marking the largest in the history of Esports tournaments. While the titles for the Esports World Cup are yet to be announced, the tournament will include the most popular games in the world across all genres and have the largest prize pool in Esports history, as per the official announcement.

    The recently published ‘India Games Market Report 2023’ by Niko Partners states that India is predominantly a mobile-first market, with 96.8 per cent of total gamers playing on smartphones or tablets. With the opportunity to compete in such a high-profile tournament with substantial prize pools, Indian Esports athletes are expected to diversify into various gaming titles that are not that popular within the community, to secure a spot at the tournament. This, in turn, will contribute to the growth and diversity of the Esports industry in the country.

    Sharing his thoughts on the Indian video-gaming community expanding its boundaries and encompassing the PC, console, and mobile gaming titles, Esports Federation of India director and Asian Esports Federation vice-president Lokesh Suji commented, “The announcement of the Esports World Cup is indeed a historic moment for the global Esports community. This tournament will serve as a catalyst for change and growth, both on the global Esports map and in India. For a country with a predominantly mobile-focused gaming culture like ours, this event’s massive prize pool and diverse title offerings will undoubtedly motivate our Esports athletes and aspiring gamers to broaden their horizons and branch out to different titles. We see the Esports World Cup as an exciting platform that not only celebrates Esports but also unites the industry’s stakeholders on a global scale.”

    According to data from Gamers8, the 2023 edition of the tournament recorded a cumulative viewership of 1.3 billion, with peak concurrent viewers reaching 1 million. The total views reached 2.09 million, and the impressions stood at 3.8 billion. The event also roped in prominent names such as Adidas, Pepsico, Aramco, Razer, and many more global brands as official sponsors.

    The Esports World Cup’s magnitude is expected to surpass these numbers, providing high visibility and prestige to Indian athletes participating in the tournament. This will undoubtedly lead to attracting more investments from sponsors, legacy brands, and venture capitalists, which will bolster Indian players and the community.

    “Esports has always transcended borders and united passionate gamers from around the globe. With the announcement of the Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia, the Indian Esports ecosystem is on the verge of a transformative journey. The tournament will not only serve as a platform for our incredibly talented players to showcase their skills on the world stage but also foster international collaboration, promote the growth of Esports in India, and inspire a new generation of gamers to chase their dreams. The Indian Esports community is ready to make its mark and this opportunity is the catalyst we’ve been waiting for. Let’s rise, break boundaries, and redefine what it means to be a part of the global Esports family,” stated S8UL co-founder and founder & CEO of 8Bit creatives Animesh Agarwal aka 8Bit Thug.

    Esports in India has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, with notable achievements in international competitions. In the Asian Games 2022, the nation fielded a historic 15-member contingent, competing in titles like DOTA 2, Street Fighter V: Champion Edition, League of Legends, and EA Sports FC Online. Prior to that, Esports also made an appearance at the Commonwealth Esports Championships in Birmingham 2022 where India’s DOTA 2 team even clinched a remarkable bronze medal.

    In the 141st session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) held in Mumbai recently, IOC President Thomas Bach announced their plans regarding the creation of the Olympic Esports Games. With Saudi Arabia’s commitment to the Esports World Cup, India’s Esports talents will have another global platform to showcase their skills.

    Mayank Prajapati aka MiKeYROG, who represented India in Street Fighter V: Champion Edition at the recently concluded Asian Games 2022 also expressed his feelings regarding the tournament saying, “As an Esports athlete, I see this as a window of opportunity for every gamer across India to proudly represent the country and make a name for themselves on the global stage. Much like in traditional sports World Cups where previously lesser-known athletes rise to prominence and lead their nation to glory, this could be the moment for Esports athletes to shine. The Esports World Cup has the potential to motivate Indian players to push their limits in various titles, thus expanding the talent pool and propelling the entire sector to newer heights.”

    In conclusion, the Esports World Cup could serve as a stepping stone for India to solidify its place on the world Esports map.

  • 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.

  • World Esports Day: Indian stakeholders drive the shift of Video Gaming into mainstream sports.

    World Esports Day: Indian stakeholders drive the shift of Video Gaming into mainstream sports.

    Mumbai: Gone are the days when Esports was stereotyped as a pastime activity. Esports all over the world has now transformed into a mainstream sporting and entertainment phenomenon, drawing in sponsors, athletes, and fans.

    So, video gaming enthusiasts converge on the 21 October to celebrate the meteoric rise of this industry’s remarkable progress on ‘World Esports Day.’ This day serves as a reminder of how far the industry has come and how profoundly it has impacted the lives of millions worldwide.

    According to Newzoo’s Global Gamer Study Data 2023, 79 per cent of the total online population engages with video games. The report also states that video games have become important marketing tools for many companies and 50 per cent of players and/or viewers discovered new brands while gaming.

    Sharing his insights on the growth of video gaming and brand deals within the ecosystem, S8UL Esports co-founder and founder & CEO of 8Bit Creatives Animesh Agarwal aka 8Bit Thug commented, “The Esports industry, globally and in India, has evolved significantly in its ability to attract sponsors and brands. This transformation is driven by the immersive nature of gaming, allowing brands to connect deeply with their target audience. The response from fans and viewers offers brands a unique opportunity to enhance their visibility and influence. Gaming has become a dynamic platform that enables brands to engage with people in ways beyond traditional advertising, fostering exciting collaborations and an expanded presence in the gaming community”
    The Indian Esports industry is witnessing not just brands but well-renowned mainstream sports athletes get associated with the sector. India’s sporting sensations Neeraj Chopra, Rohit Tokas and Pramod Bhagat recently appeared at the BGMI India Series final LAN event, demonstrating how the lines between traditional sports and Esports are blurring. Even the country’s other sporting icons such as M.S. Dhoni, Sunil Chhetri, and all-rounder Hardik Pandya have all joined the Esports revolution, becoming ambassadors for games such as Free Fire and BGMI.

    Sahil Jakhar, also known as SOUL Omega, captain of Team SOUL, the champions of the Battlegrounds Mobile India Pro Series (BMPS) 2022, shared his thoughts on the impact of traditional sports athletes entering Esports, stating, “Esports and traditional sports share fundamental traits, including discipline, strategy and a competitive spirit. Witnessing cricket, football, boxing, and athletics stars become a part of Esports is truly inspiring for athletes like us. It validates the industry among the broader public who may still be unaware of its remarkable growth. Moreover, it serves as a driving force for players to grind hard with the aspiration of one day reaching the same heights as these legends in their respective sport.”

    After being recognized as an official multi-sport event by the government in December 2022, Esports has been included as a full-fledged medal event at the Asian Games 2022 and has also been confirmed as a medal sport for the 2026 edition of the prestigious tournament.

    Esports Federation of India (ESFI) director of and Asian Esports Federation vice-president of (AESF) Lokesh Suji talks about the increasing visibility of Esports as a new-age sport and its inclusion at the Olympics someday. “After the presence of Esports at the Commonwealth Esports Championships, Asian Games 2022 as well as the introduction of the Olympics Esports Week, we are witnessing the growing visibility of Esports as a new-age sport. Going by the IOC President Thomas Bach’s positive comments at the 141 IOC Session in Mumbai regarding the development of the Olympic Esports Games, it is safe to say that it is not a matter of ‘if,’ but ‘when’ it will find its place as a medal sport at the Olympics.

    The global reach of Esports and its ability to unite people from different backgrounds make it a powerful contender for recognition on the world’s grandest sporting stage,” said Mr. Suji.
    As Esports makes its way into the mainstream and major international tournaments, it leaves a lasting impact on the video gaming ecosystems of countries all over the world. Akshaj Shenoy, the captain of India’s League of Legends team that achieved a historic fifth-place finish at the Asian Games 2022 sheds light on this aftermath, said, “Esports has started to become a serious and rewarding career option in India. The platforms, support, and recognition that we athletes receive today are unparalleled. Representing the country at the Asian Games in Hangzhou was an honour for me and I can surely say that aspiring Indian video gamers are already dreaming of competing for India in such a competition one day. India’s Esports ecosystem is all set to benefit from this participation through new talent right from the grassroots level that will proliferate the country’s presence on the global stage.”

    Looking ahead, the future of Esports is promising. The integration of cutting-edge technologies like Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) will offer new dimensions to the gaming experience. With the backing of industry leaders, influential athletes, and a growing fan base, the future holds limitless opportunities for Esports, not just in India but globally. 

  • India’s Esports contingent concludes historic debut campaign at Asian Games 2022

    India’s Esports contingent concludes historic debut campaign at Asian Games 2022

    Mumbai: India’s 15-member Esports contingent wrapped up its remarkable journey at the ongoing Asian Games 2022 as the nation’s DOTA 2 team exited the competition at the China Hangzhou Esports Centre on Friday.

    The DOTA 2 squad led by skipper Darshan Bata (A35), and comprising Krish Gupta (Krish-), Abhishek Yadav (Abhi-), Ketan Goyal (Evil-Ash), and Shubham Goli (Madness) endured a 0-1 defeat against Kyrgyzstan in their opening group game before going down 0-1 against the Philippines in the second group stage game to bow out of the competition.

    In what was Esports’ debut as an official medal sport at the prestigious tournament, India had participated in four of the seven total titles namely: DOTA 2, League of Legends, EA Sports FC Online, and Street Fighter V: Champion Edition.

    “We are proud of our Esports athletes’ resolute efforts and gritty performances at the Asian Games 2022. Each and every athlete from the contingent is an inspiration for India’s budding Esports community that wants to represent their country in Esports. This tournament has provided an invaluable experience and motivation for our Esports athletes to build upon and enhance their gameplay for the future,” said Esports Federation of India director and Asian Esports Federation (AESF) VP Lokesh Suji.

    India’s prolific League of Legends team captained by Akshaj Shenoy (Kai), and comprising Samarth Arvind Trivedi (CrankO), Mihir Ranjan (Lotus), Sanindhya Malik (Deadcorp), Aakash Shandilya (Infi), Aditya Selvaraj (Krow) finished fifth at 19th Asian Games after suffering a hard-fought 0-2 defeat against Vietnam in the quarter finals.

    The country’s star EA Sports FC Online athlete, Charanjot Singh, secured the ninth place out of a total pool of 36 leading athletes from the continent in this competition. The 20-year-old began his campaign with a 0:2 defeat to China’s Liu Jiacheng in the Round of 32 but bounced back strongly with three consecutive wins against Aristorenas Jorrel of Philippines, Alrowaihi RKM of Bahrain, and Yessentayev Olzhas of Kazakhstan in the Losers Bracket Round 1, 2, and 3 respectively.

    However, his campaign came to an end after enduring another 0-2 defeat against Liu Jiacheng of China in the Losers Bracket Round 4. His compatriot Karman Singh exited the competition after going down by 1-2 against Aldhafiri Meshari of Kuwait in the Losers Bracket Round 2.

    “Despite the competition being fierce, our League of Legends team secured a remarkable fifth-place finish, while Charanjot Singh achieved a commendable ninth place among the continent’s top EA Sports FC Online athletes. We are now eagerly anticipating the Asian Games 2026, where Esports will once again be an official medal sport, and our full-strength Indian contingent will give their all in pursuit of glory,” added Lokesh Suji.

    In Street Fighter V: Champion Edition, the talented Ayan Biswas clinched a Top 16 place for India. He began his campaign on a winning note against Nguyen Khanh Hung Chau of Vietnam from the Round of 32 suffering a defeat against Alrayfal Abdulrahman Salem A of Saudi Arabia in the Winners Bracket Round 1. He then beat Vietnam’s Nguyen again by 2-0 in the Losers Bracket Round 2 but fell short against Yeh Man Ho of Hong Kong in the Losers Bracket Round 3.

    Ayan’s teammate, Mayank Prajapati began his tournament against Rajikhan Talal Fuad T of Saudi Arabia and fought valiantly in a fiercely contested 1-2 defeat. He then endured another loss against Al-Mannai Abdulla of Qatar by 0-2 in the Losers Bracket Round 1 and exited the tournament.

    Having been featured as a demonstration event in 2018, Esports made its full-fledged debut as an official medal sport at the Asian Games 2022 where a total of 476 athletes from 30 different countries competed for gold medals in seven different titles.

     

  • India’s DOTA 2 team eyes success at Asian Games 2022

    India’s DOTA 2 team eyes success at Asian Games 2022

    Mumbai: India’s premier DOTA 2 team is gearing up to recreate their stunning success at the Commonwealth Esports Championships as they take on Kyrgyzstan and the Philippines in their opening group stage games of the Asian Games 2022 at the China Hangzhou Esports Centre on 29 September.

    Led by skipper Darshan Bata (A35), the skilled DOTA 2 unit comprising Krish Gupta (Krish-), Abhishek Yadav (Abhi-), Ketan Goyal (Evil-Ash), and Shubham Goli (Madness) has been drawn into Group A, where they are scheduled to compete against Kyrgyzstan and the Philippines in Best-of-One (BO1) single round-robin format matches. The top-ranked team from this group will advance to face Nepal in the quarter-finals on 30 September.

    All matches in the elimination stage for DOTA 2 will be contested in the head-to-head, Best-of-Three (BO3) single elimination format. There will be a total of 14 notable teams participating in the title.

    “As the captain of the team, I feel an immense sense of responsibility and pride in leading the country’s first-ever DOTA 2 team at the Asian Games. The entire team has been practicing constantly in the build-up to the tournament as all of us understand the honor of representing India at such a prestigious competition. With the constant support of ESFI throughout our journey, we are ready to give our all and make the country proud by bringing home a medal,” said DOTA 2 team captain Darshan Bata.

    The squad sealed their qualification for the Asian Games 2022, by prevailing in the finals of the National Esports Championships (NESC) organized by Esports Federation of India (ESFI) last year. The team’s experienced players Ketan, Abhishek, and Shubham were part of the iconic squad that scripted history by clinching the bronze medal at last year’s inaugural Commonwealth Esports Championships in Birmingham.

    Sharing his thoughts on the talented team participating in the tournament, Esports Federation of India director & Asian Esports Federation (AESF) vice president Lokesh Suji expressed, “At ESFI, we have witnessed the incredible growth of Esports in India and the extraordinary talent that has emerged from our nation. This DOTA 2 team consists of some of the finest players in the country who have already proved their mettle at the Commonwealth Esports Championships last year. We are confident that they will perform at a similar level in Hangzhou and bring laurels for the country.”

    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.

    On Sunday, India’s Charanjot Singh and Karman Tikka bowed out of the Asian Games 2022 after suffering hard-fought defeats in EA Sports FC Online.

    Charanjot suffered a 0:2 defeat to China’s Liu Jiacheng in his opening game but bounced back strongly with three consecutive wins. He won by 2:0 against Aristorenas Jorrel of Philippines, 2-1 against Alrowaihi RKM of Bahrain, and 2-0 against Yessentayev Olzhas of Kazakhstan in the Losers Bracket Round 1, 2, and 3 respectively.

    However, his campaign came to an end after enduring another 0-2 defeat against Liu Jiacheng of China in the Losers Bracket Round 4. The 20-year-old finished in the Top 16.

    On the other hand, Karman Singh went down fighting in a 1-2 loss against Faqeehi Abdulaziz Abdullatif of Bahrain in his tournament opener. Similar to Charanjot, he too made a strong comeback by defeating Kiswani Abdelrahman of Palestine by 2-1 in the Losers Bracket Round 1 before going down by 1-2 against Aldhafiri Meshari of Kuwait in the Losers Bracket Round 2 to exit the competition.

    On Tuesday, two of the country’s most distinguished Street Fighter V: Champion Edition athletes, Mayank Prajapati (MiKeYROG) and Ayan Biswas (AYAN01) will embark on their pursuit for a medal from the Round of 32 stage. Mayank will go head to head against T.F. Rajikhan of Saudi Arabia while his teammate, Ayan Biswas, will be up against K.H.C Nguyen of Vietnam.

    Following the Street Fighter V: Champion Edition fixtures, the nation’s star-studded League of Legends which has been seeded directly to the quarter-finals will begin its campaign on 27 September. As a result of dominating the recently held Central and South Asia seeding event and clinching top seed, the team has gained direct entry into the top-8 of the tournament and will face Vietnam in its tournament opener.

  • India’s street fighters ready for medal quest at Asian Games 2022

    India’s street fighters ready for medal quest at Asian Games 2022

    Mumbai: The highly anticipated draws for all Esports titles at the ongoing Asian Games 2022 have been officially announced with India’s leading Street Fighter V: Champion Edition athletes set to commence their campaign against Saudi Arabia and Vietnam on 26 September.

    The country’s experienced athlete, Mayank Prajapati (MiKeYROG) will go head to head against T.F. Rajikhan (Taloobreaker) of Saudi Arabia while his teammate, Ayan Biswas (AYAN01), will be up against K.H.C Nguyen (Shin) of Vietnam to kick off their respective campaigns. Both athletes will begin the tournament in the Round of 32 which will be contested in the double-elimination format

    Reflecting on the tournament commencing, Mayank Prajapati stated, “The road to the Asian Games has been challenging, but now that the tournament is upon us the feeling is surreal. We have left no stone unturned in our preparation for the title and eagerly await to take on our opponents. I would like to thank ESFI for their invaluable support in terms of providing us with the best possible equipment and coaching to help us perform at the highest level,”

    A total of 35 notable athletes from 22 countries will be battling it out for a medal in Street Fighter V: Champion Edition. All matches will be conducted in the best-of-three (BO3) format and the loser bracket final and grand final will be played in a best-of-seven (BO7) format.

    “Getting the opportunity to represent India at such a prestigious international tournament in Street Fighter for an official medal is a sign of how far Esports has come. Competing at the Asian Games 2022 is more than a personal achievement for us as the entire nation’s hopes are on our shoulders. We hope to make the country proud with our performances and win a historic medal at the tournament,” commented Ayan Biswas.

    Mayank and Ayan earned their spots for the Asian Games 2022 by reaching the finals of the National Esports Championships (NESC) organized by the Esports Federation of India (ESFI) last year. The two players are well-renowned names in the Indian Street Fighter V community having dominated the game for a long period.

    “Now that the draws have been announced, we are confident about our medal prospects in all the titles. Our Street Fighter athletes who have left a lasting impact on the Indian Street Fighter community are all set to showcase their skills against the continent’s best talent on the international stage. Having witnessed their tireless training and competitive spirit, we believe they have what it takes to excel and are confident in their abilities to make the nation proud,” said Esports Federation of India director Lokesh Suji and vice president of the Asian Esports Federation (AESF) 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.

    Having been featured as a demonstration event in 2018, Esports will be making its full-fledged debut as an official medal sport at the Asian Games 2022. The Esports event will be held in China Hangzhou Esports Centre from September 24 to October 2, with India participating in four of the seven total titles: DOTA 2, EA Sports FC Online, League of Legends, and Street Fighter V: Champion Edition.

    India’s supremely talented EA Sports FC Online athletes will kick off the country’s Esports campaign as Charanjot Singh takes on Liu Jiacheng of China and Karman Singh faces A.A. Faqeehi of Bahrain on September 24.

    Following EA Sports FC Online, the nation’s League of Legends which has been seeded directly to quarter-finals will commence its campaign against the winner of the group comprising Japan, Palestine, and Vietnam on September 27.

    The country’s DOTA 2 team has been drawn in Group A alongside Kyrgyzstan and Philippines with their group matchups scheduled to take place on September 29. The winner of the group will then square off against Nepal on September 30.

  • Asian Games 2022: Official draws for Esports announced; India set to kick off campaign on 24 September

    Asian Games 2022: Official draws for Esports announced; India set to kick off campaign on 24 September

    Mumbai: The highly anticipated draws for all Esports titles at the ongoing Asian Games 2022 have been officially announced with India set to commence with its campaign in EA Sports FC Online at the China Hangzhou Esports Centre on 24 September. Esports Federation of India director and Asian Esports Federation (AESF) vice president Lokesh Suji had the privilege of conducting the draws for the Esports titles, alongside AESF general secretary Sebastian Lau and AESF CEO Steve Kim.

    The country’s supremely talented EA Sports FC Online athletes Charanjot Singh (Charanjot12_) secured top seed at the South Asia seeding event for the tournament while his equally talented teammate Karman Singh (tikkatown) clinched fifth seed. Due to their seeding advantage, both athletes will kick off their campaigns from the Round of 32 stage with Charanjot squaring off against Liu Jiacheng of China and Karman facing A.A. Faqeehi of Bahrain in the Round of 32.

    A total of 36 athletes from 20 countries are participating in the well-renowned EA Sports FC Online title. All matches will be played in the Double Elimination and Best-of-Three (BO3) format

    Following the commencement of EA Sports FC Online’s fixtures, two of the country’s most distinguished Street Fighter V: Champion Edition athletes, Mayank Prajapati (MiKeYROG) and Ayan Biswas (AYAN01) will embark on their pursuit for a medal in their respective title on 26 September. In the seeding event for South and East Asia, Prajapati clinched fifth seed and Biswas secured sixth seed and will hence begin their campaign from the Round of 32 stage.

    In the Round of 32, Prajapati will go head to head against T.F. Rajikhan of Saudi Arabia while his teammate, Ayan Biswas, will be up against K.H.C Nguyen of Vietnam. The Street Fighter V: Champion Edition title will witness a total of 35 notable athletes from 22 countries battling it out for a historic medal. All matches will be conducted in the best-of-three (BO3) format and the loser bracket final and grand final will be played in a best-of-seven (BO7) format.

    The nation’s star-studded League of Legends team which is captained by Akshaj Shenoy (Kai), and comprises Samarth Arvind Trivedi (CrankO), Mihir Ranjan (Lotus), Sanindhya Malik (Deadcorp), Aakash Shandilya (Infi), Aditya Selvaraj (Krow) will begin its campaign on 27 September. As a result of dominating the recently held Central and South Asia seeding event and clinching top seed, the team has gained direct entry into the quarter-finals of the 19th Asian Games.

    The squad will face the winner of Group A comprising Japan, Palestine, and Vietnam in its tournament opener. The elimination stages will be played head-to-head in the BO3, single-elimination format. The continent’s 15 leading teams will be competing in League of Legends at the prestigious tournament.

    The country’s stellar DOTA 2 team led by Darshan Bata (A35), and comprising Krish Gupta (Krish-), Abhishek Yadav (Abhi-), Ketan Goyal (Evil-Ash), and Shubham Goli (Madness) has been drawn in Group A alongside Kyrgyzstan and Philippines. Both of their group matchups are scheduled to take place in the Best-of-One (BO1) single round robin format on 29 September.

    The group winner will take on Nepal in the elimination stages on September 30. All matches in the elimination stage will be contested in the head-to-head, BO3 single elimination format. There will be 14 notable DOTA 2 teams participating in the title.

    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.

    Having been featured as a demonstration event in 2018, Esports will be making its full-fledged debut as an official medal sport at the Asian Games 2022 with a total of 476 athletes from 30 different countries competing for gold medals in seven different titles.