Asian Games: Will India showcase Esports prowess?

As India gets ready for the first ever Esports at the Asian Games, Mint charts the rise of the game in the country

- Arunjanardhan

 

When Charanjot Singh found out WV/ that he would be part of the Indian Esports contingent for the Asian Games, his initial reaction was one of relief. Having played a taxing weeklong qualifying tournament National Esports Championships—NESC 22—in April last year) that had over 200 participants, the 20-year-old was relieved to be among the two players selected. The happiness and excitement came later,” he says now.

Singh and Karman Singh Tikka will represent India in the FIFA22 category as Esports makes its Asian Games debut in Hangzhou, China (the Games begin on 23 September). They will be part ofan 18-athlete contingent that will participate in five categories: FIFA22, Street Fighter, Hearthstone, and the team events of League of Legends and DOTA 2.

“We did not expect Esports to be added (to the Asian Games),” says Shubham Goliaka Madness, who is part of the DOTA 2 team. "Though we are used to going to different cities, here you are competing under the country's name. You can't ignore that we are representing the nation and have to respect that opportunity." Esports was a demonstration event in the Asian Games in 2018 but was included as a pilot event at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games (CWG) last year. The selection for the Asian Games was conducted last year because the Asian Games was slated to be held then, before it got postponed to 2023.