adminIN a big move, the government of India has officially recognised Esports as a part of multi-sports events.
Esports will be taken care of by Department of Sports under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Meanwhile, ‘ Online Gaming ‘ will be under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
Indian Esports industry has been fighting for Esports , not be clubbed under the umbrella term “Gaming”. The industry has maintained that, Esports is a competitive sport where esports athletes use their physical and mental abilities to compete in certain genres of video games in a virtual, electronic environment.
Reacting to the news, Lokesh Suji, director, Esports Federation of India and vice president of the Asian Esports Federation (AESF) said: “Great news for us to begin the new year. We have been constantly working on establishing the difference between Esports and iGaming, and finally, our efforts have been fulfilled. Only a short time until we see Esports being placed in the same league as cricket, football, basketball, etc. and having similar fan power, scale and craze.”
“With the latest announcement and India recently competing for medals at the inaugural Esports Asian Games, people are shaking off the misconceptions linked with esports as a passion or career option. The year 2023 beholds greater opportunities for esports and we are anticipating more favourable developments, only making it bigger. It surely has been a great year for Indian esports,” Suji added.
“We welcome the appointment of MEITY as a nodal ministry for online gaming. A uniform central regulation for online skill gaming has been a long-standing demand of the industry and this step will hopefully lead to a progressive regulatory framework underpinned by consumer welfare. This will help further grow the industry and make online gaming a cornerstone of Digital India,” said Roland Landers, CEO, All India Gaming Federation.
“We also welcome the move to have MYAS regulate esports as part of multi sports events. This will finally lead to the recognition of an India Esports Federation, better rules and procedures for selection of India teams for international events like Asian Games and also lead to better opportunities and facilities for our esports players on par with other sportspersons.”
Founder and CEO, Revenant Esports, Rohit Jagasia, said: “Today can be said to be the greatest day in Indian Esports history. The collective efforts of the entire gaming fraternity along with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and sports have finally reaped its rewards. We can now proudly consider Esports a legitimate sport in India.”
Ex-Esports athlete, Animesh Agarwal, who is the Founder and CEO, 8bit Creatives feels: “The entire Esports fraternity in India will be rejoicing with this welcome news which has certainly been a result of the gaming community’s collective efforts spanning over the last few years. Esports have already been considered as a medal sport in the Olympics and Asian games and this news will further boost the sport in the country as it was long overdue.” – Times Now
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter