Esports as an activity is quickly becoming universally recognized, and the presence of esports in the Asian Games is a major step towards the identity of the competitive gaming world. India is all set to create an impact in this high-profile event on the back of an increasing number of skilled players and the digital infrastructure that is in place.
With players becoming national sports stars, and contests being transformed into international events, everyone looks forward to the medals in India’s ledger. Social sites such as Khelraja also point to the grandeur that Esports is above being a mere form of entertainment, but it is a sport in itself.
The Story of India That Entered into Competitive Esports
The entry of India into Esports started as a hobby, but now there has been a gradual development of Esports into a more structured and organized form. The world tournaments have provided the Indian teams with good experience over the years.
Games such as DOTA 2, League of Legends, and FIFA have been witnessed to have a greater representation of Indians. The Indian players are no longer being overlooked as they have their training centers and coaches to aid them at the national level of playing their games.
The Asian Games have given a good platform to measure their skills. Where they were being viewed as more of a demonstration sport in the previous editions, Esports have now become a full-fledged event that holds the potential to win medals for Indian players.
Events that India is Aiming for Medals
Some of the Esports games that India is participating in at the Asian Games are Arena of Valor, Street Fighter, PUBG Mobile (Asian Games Version), and Hearthstone. These are sports in which the Indian players have registered a lot of improvement at the international level.
PUBG Mobile has a huge player base in India. Other teams are regular Asian qualifiers, such as Team Soul and GodLike Esports. In Street Fighter V, on the other hand, veterans of the game, such as Hitesh Khorwal, are also demonstrating potential. With the government recognizing Esports, players in India have an advantage concerning training and finances because it has improved.
Infrastructure of Support and Training by the Government
The second way that India has one of the largest boosts in the Esports medal is the increasing institutional support. Esports have formally become a medal event in the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). Training camps are being organized, and professional coaches as well as analysts take players under their guidance.
Another form of involvement in sports that the Sports Authority of India (SAI) has realized is involvement in joint ventures with private companies to establish state-of-the-art gaming arenas. This is the infrastructure that is vital in making sure that players train to the international standards. In addition, websites such as Khelraja help Esports to develop by attracting the attention of people and encouraging the competition of skill.
Superstars and Second-Time Role Players to Catch
The Esports team of India is a combination of veterans and young talents. They have players such as Tirth Mehta, who has won bronze in Hearthstone at the 2018 Asian Games (as one of the demonstration sports). Players such as Mayavi (Arena of Valor) and Tejas Sawant (FPS games) are gaining popularity at very young ages due to their regular results.
It is not only that these players want to make their glory, but they are also creating doors to other Indian gamers. Young players of this generation find their presence in such a high-profile event legitimizing Esports and further inspiring the young generation.
The Indian Projection
Happy or sad, depending on how many medals India manages to win, one thing remains the same, and that is the fact that this industry will be around in the future. The Asian Games have attracted exposure and, consequently, more investment, corporate sponsorships, and fans. India has a good talent pool, and given further encouragement, the country is capable of becoming a force to be reckoned with in Asia.
Sites like Khelraja are making sure that Esports gets the respect it deserves, taking care not just of players but also of fans. As India goes into the virtual battlefield, millions of fans are not only cheering the victory, but they are also rooting to draw attention to Esports as a competitive and serious sport.
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