Esports can be India’s latest path to Olympics glory

Esports finally shed the label as just a hobby or leisure activity after gaining official recognition as a multi-sport event by the Government of India in December 2022. The new-age sporting discipline has stepped out of the shadows to become one of the fastest-growing sectors in India, attracting millions of players and viewers, and generating significant revenue.

In addition to its mainstream acceptance, esports has also found its place in prestigious international competitions where Indian athletes not only participated but also made a remarkable impact. For a country still carving out its space in the global landscape, 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 the top teams is a noteworthy achievement.

Now, the nation has the opportunity to build on this success at the Olympic level. Recently, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) 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 acknowledge the modern-day discipline of esports. Having become part of the Olympics, it has all the potential to produce its own heroes who can lead India to glory on the global stage.

With a total of six medals, India’s performance at the Paris Olympics highlighted the country’s strong performance in traditional sports. The upcoming Olympic Esports Games in 2025 offer the country’s 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 games at national and international competitions across different titles.

The recently concluded Android Battlegrounds Mobile India Masters Series (BGMS) Season 3—one of India’s largest esports events which is broadcast on national television—and the Valorant Challengers South Asia Split have showcased fierce competition among the country’s top esports teams. These tournaments, organised by NODWIN Gaming, a global leader in youth gaming, esports, and entertainment, provide the ideal stage and high-pressure environment for the nation’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 not only feature open-for-all qualifiers, where aspiring players can compete with established teams, but also offer significant prize pools that empower gamers to fulfil their dreams. By providing a pathway from recreational gaming to a career in esports, NODWIN Gaming is committed to supporting Indian gamers to succeed, both locally and globally.” said Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and MD, NODWIN Gaming.

SuperGaming, India’s leading game developer based in Pune, has also played a significant role in building a sustainable ecosystem for Indian esports by organising 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 takes more than just commitment—it demands teamwork, passion, and a belief in what is possible. With Indus, we’re not just creating a game; we are creating a platform for our players to hone their skills, compete at a global level, and take pride in something that’s 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 will become a mainstream sport,” noted Roby John, Co-founder and CEO of SuperGaming.

“This National Sports Day is even more momentous, as it follows the official announcement of the Olympic Esports Games and the inclusion of esports tournaments in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s WAVES 2025. Esports athletes undergo the same rigorous training and mental pressure as any other sportsperson. It’s important that they receive the same level of support from the government as well. At Skyesports, we will continue our efforts to grow esports from the grassroots through our range of original IPs catering to different gaming communities, recognize esports athletes, and put India on the global esports map.” – Shiva Nandy, Founder and CEO, Skyesports. 

As new talent and innovative games emerge, the importance of equipping athletes with the right tools cannot be overlooked. CyberPowerPC, a leading 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 dreams of success.

“By merging the intensity and discipline of traditional sports with technology, esports has redefined the perception of 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 is crucial for breaking through barriers in esports. That is why we are committed to providing Indian gamers with the best possible hardware to help them 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 Vishal Parekh, Chief Operating Officer, CyberPowerPC India.

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Esports presents India with a renewed chance to achieve Olympic glory, signaling the beginning of a new chapter in the nation’s sporting legacy. On this National Sports Day, let us embrace and celebrate the promising future of Indian esports, a modern sporting discipline poised for great achievements