Mumbai: Esports moved from being just a hobby or leisure activity after gaining official recognition as a multi-sport event by the Government of India in December 2022. The sport has emerged as one of the fastest-growing sectors in India, attracting millions of players and viewers and generating significant revenue.
Esports has also gained acceptance in prestigious international competitions, where Indian athletes not only participated but made a significant impact. In a country still finding its place on the global stage, securing a bronze medal in DOTA 2 at the Commonwealth Esports Championships and reaching the quarterfinals to secure a fifth-place finish in League of Legends at the Asian Games against top teams is a notable achievement.
Now, India has the opportunity to build on this success at the Olympic level. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recently entered into a 12-year partnership with the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Saudi Arabia, announcing that the inaugural Olympic Esports Games will be held in 2025.
As the nation observes National Sports Day to honour hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand and highlight the importance of participation in sports, it is essential to recognize the modern-day discipline of esports. Now part of the Olympics, it has the potential to produce its heroes who can lead India to glory on the global stage.
India’s performance at the Paris Olympics, where the country secured six medals, highlighted its strength in traditional sports. The upcoming Olympic Esports Games in 2025 offer Indian athletes a fresh chance to excel and bring home glory in the virtual arena.
While the specific game titles are yet to be confirmed, Indian players have already shown their strength in various national and international competitions.
The recently concluded Android Battlegrounds Mobile India Masters Series (BGMS) season 3 and the Valorant Challengers South Asia Split have showcased fierce competition among the country’s top esports teams. These tournaments, organised by NODWIN Gaming provide the ideal stage and high-pressure environment for India’s athletes to hone their skills and prepare for major international multi-sport competitions.
“We are proud to provide a platform for talented esports athletes to shine through our large format IPs like BGMS and grassroots initiatives like the OMEN Valorant Campus Quest. These events feature open-for-all qualifiers, where aspiring players can compete with established teams, and offer significant prize pools that empower gamers to pursue their dreams. By providing a pathway from recreational gaming to a career in esports, NODWIN Gaming is committed to supporting Indian gamers to succeed locally and globally,” said NODWIN Gaming Co-founder and MD, Akshat Rathee.
SuperGaming, a game developer based in Pune, has also played a crucial role in building a sustainable ecosystem for Indian esports by organizing the nationwide grassroots tournament, Indus Inferno. Their upcoming game, Indus Battle Royale, which recently entered open beta, provides players with the opportunity to sharpen their esports skills in a game deeply rooted in Indian culture.
“Building world-class games requires teamwork, passion, and a belief in what is possible. With Indus, we’re not just creating a game; we are creating a platform for players to hone their skills, compete at a global level, and take pride in something made right here in India. As we set the stage for the next generation of esports athletes, we’re confident that esports in India will continue to rise and become a mainstream sport,” noted SuperGaming co-founder and CEO, Roby John.
As new talent and innovative games emerge, equipping athletes with the right tools is crucial. CyberPowerPC, a US-based gaming PC brand that recently entered the Indian market, aims to equip Indian gamers with high-quality custom and pre-built gaming PCs to help them achieve their goals.
“By merging the intensity and discipline of traditional sports with technology, esports has redefined competitive sports in the modern era. Success in esports relies as much on skill as it does on having the right tools to perform at the highest level. Therefore, it is essential that Indian gamers have access to the latest technology to break through barriers in esports. That is why we are committed to providing Indian gamers with the best hardware to pursue their ambitions. India has already made waves on the international stage in PC titles like DOTA 2 and League of Legends, and we anticipate similar success, potentially at the Olympic Esports Games,” commented CyberPowerPC India, chief operating officer, Vishal Parekh.
