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Skillhub Online Games Federation Partners with International Esports Federation to Elevate Esports in IndiaThe Skillhub Online Games Federation (SOGF) has announced a strategic partnership with the International Esports Federation (IESF) to foster the growth of esports in India. This collaboration aims to bring world-class tournaments to the country and establish a robust esports ecosystem.India has emerged as a significant market for esports, with its inclusion in the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou. Recognizing this potential, SOGF plans to organize International Esports Championships in the near future. The partnership with IESF is a crucial step towards achieving this goal.Representatives from SOGF and IESF General Secretary Boban Totovski recently met with Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to discuss the development of esports in India. The minister expressed support for SOGF's efforts to regulate esports and create a structured skill-based gaming ecosystem."We are grateful to the government and IESF for their support in advancing esports in India," said SOGF President Shankar Aggarwal. "This collaboration has the potential to transform the esports landscape in our country."Totovski emphasized IESF's commitment to supporting esports communities worldwide. "We are thrilled to launch our new pro-series in India," he said. "This partnership will provide a platform for Indian esports athletes to showcase their skills on a global stage."SOGF is a leading organization dedicated to promoting and developing esports and skilled online gaming in India. Through this partnership with IESF, SOGF aims to establish India as a hub for esports excellence, attracting top players and tournaments from around the world.

Esports to Make Olympic Debut in 2025, Elevating Status and OpportunitiesThe Esports Federation of India (ESFI) has hailed the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) decision to host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games in 2025. This landmark move marks a significant milestone in the global recognition and growth of esports, providing a prestigious platform for athletes worldwide to showcase their skills.The IOC's partnership with the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Saudi Arabia will bring the Olympic Esports Games to life. The event will feature a standalone multi-national format, with details such as venue, timings, titles, and qualification process to be announced at the upcoming IOC session on the eve of the Paris Olympics.Lokesh Suji, ESFI director and vice-president of the Asian Esports Federation (AESF), expressed his excitement over the decision. "This is the news we have all been waiting for," he said. "The Olympic Esports Games will elevate the status of esports and pave the way for greater opportunities and support for players and enthusiasts in India and beyond."The Olympic Esports Games will provide a global stage for esports athletes to compete at the highest level. It will also serve as a catalyst for the development of esports infrastructure, training programs, and recognition for esports professionals.The IOC's decision reflects the growing popularity and legitimacy of esports as a competitive sport. With millions of players and viewers worldwide, esports has become a major force in the entertainment industry. The inclusion of esports in the Olympics will further legitimize the sport and attract new audiences.The Olympic Esports Games will also have a positive impact on the esports ecosystem in India. It will inspire young players to pursue esports as a career and encourage the development of esports academies and training facilities.

Esports in India: A Rapidly Growing Industry with Government SupportEsports, a competitive form of video gaming, has witnessed a meteoric rise in India, garnering recognition as a legitimate sport. In a groundbreaking move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently convened a roundtable discussion with prominent gaming personalities to discuss the industry's growth and potential.Animesh Aggarwal, founder and CEO of 8Bit Creatives and co-founder of S8UL, expressed his honor at discussing the industry's rapid ascent with the Prime Minister. He emphasized the need for support rather than regulation from the government to foster its growth.Naman Mathur (Mortal), co-founder and CMO of 8Bit Creatives, described the interaction as "surreal." He highlighted the Prime Minister's understanding of the industry's nuances and his vision for game development centered around Indian culture and environmental issues.Payal Dhare (PayalGaming) shared her insights on the prospects for female gamers in India. She noted the Prime Minister's keen listening skills and his ability to differentiate between esports and gaming content creation.Lokesh 'Goldy' Jain, co-founder of 8Bit Creatives, expressed his pride in the industry's recognition. He emphasized his alignment with the Prime Minister's vision and his commitment to working towards its realization.The discussion covered various aspects of gaming, including esports, game development, its impact on youth, and India's global presence in the industry. The gamers shared their personal journeys, challenges, and triumphs.Esports in India has evolved from a pastime to a multi-sport event, officially recognized by the government. The FICCI-EY report estimates that participation in esports tournaments surged to 1.8 million in 2023, with an expected increase to 2.5 million in 2024. Game streamers have also witnessed a significant rise in viewership, particularly in Tier-II cities.The government's support for esports is a testament to its recognition as a legitimate sport and its potential to contribute to the nation's economic and social development. With continued support and collaboration between the government and the industry, esports in India is poised for even greater growth and success.

College Rivals, India's largest Esports talent hunt, concluded with a grand finale that saw 28 college students from across the nation triumph and share a generous INR 50 lakh prize pool. The event, organized by Ampverse and DMI Finance, featured a total prize pool of INR 50 lakh and attracted over 5,000 attendees.In the BGMI title, Divyansh Vashisht of Delhi School of Professional Studies, Palampur, emerged victorious with a 2-1 victory against Sahil Nagpal of APJ in the final match, securing the top prize of INR 4 lakh. Sahil secured INR 2 lakh, while Swayam Jain of IIPS and Deepak Mishra of DSNV were rewarded with INR 1 lakh each for finishing in third and fourth place respectively.The finale also provided a dream come true opportunity to one of the Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) players by offering a professional Esports contract with Rivals Pro Esports.In addition to BGMI, the College Rivals grand finale showcased intense competition across other titles, including FIFA 23, Road to Valor, Valorant, Tekken 7, and Counter Strike-2, each boasting a prize pool of INR 5 lakhs. Winners in each category received a substantial INR 2.5 lakh prize, while the runner-up secured INR 1.5 lakh.Karman Singh Tikka of Delhi Institute of Management, Gurugram, demonstrated his expertise in FIFA 23 by defeating Danish Khan of DGMC with a 2-0 scoreline. Similarly, in Tekken 7, Vayam Bhatt of MVSIT, New Delhi, clinched victory with an identical 2-0 scoreline against Gurashish Singh of Jagannath University.Arnav Manoj of SRM University, Mumbai, displayed exceptional skill and determination in the Road to Valor title by securing victory in the final with an impressive 2-0 scoreline. In Valorant, Vinit Mane of DY Patil Arts and Commerce College, Pune, dominated the competition with a 2-0 victory, while another talented student from Pune, Samyak Magare of Ajeenkya DY Patil University, prevailed in Counter-Strike 2 with a hard-fought 2-1 triumph.Beyond the Esports competitions, the College Rivals finale provided attendees with a plethora of activities, including live performances from stand-up comedian Samay Raina and renowned music artists Seedhe Maut, Muhfaad, and Char Diwaari. Gaming enthusiasts also had the unique opportunity to interact with renowned Esports personalities such as Naman Mathur (Mortal), Payal Dhare (PayalGaming), Tanmay Singh (ScoutOP), and Yash Thakker (lolzzzgaming), who engaged in a BGMI match.The one-of-a-kind experiential LAN event also featured cosplay competitions, arcade gaming zones, racing simulators, VR cricket, AI live generation art, and a variety of food and beverages, creating an immersive and memorable experience for all attendees.The journey of College Rivals began in August with city qualifiers, where teams competed in bracket-based matches organized by city. Each city qualifier was conducted at the end of the City Tour by the College Rivals Truck which visited 25 colleges across five cities, including New Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai, and attracted a total of 92,000 participants across the nation.