Category sports

Industry stakeholders reflect on the steady rise of esports as a mainstream sport, as it takes center stage as a demonstration event at KIYG 2025 from May 6 to 7

For the first time in the history of the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG), esports will be stepping into the spotlight as a demonstration event. Scheduled to be held in Bihar from May 4 to 14, KIYG 2025 will host its esports competitions from May 6 to 7 at the Patliputra Sports Complex, featuring popular titles such as Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), Street Fighter 6, Chess, and eFootball on both mobile and console.

Featuring titles that span mobile, console, and strategy-based formats like chess, the esports lineup at KIYG 2025 reflects a deliberate effort to cater to diverse gaming audiences. This move also signals a broader national recognition of esports as a legitimate sporting pursuit, on par with traditional disciplines, a direction that India has been moving toward with increased pace.

While BGMI remains the most popular esports title in India, Chess stands out as a particularly noteworthy addition to KIYG 2025. Once considered a purely traditional sport, Chess has increasingly found a home in the esports world, most recently as part of the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025, which boasts a prize pool of $1.5 million (INR 12.6 crore) for the title. NODWIN Gaming, a leader in South Asia’s esports and gaming ecosystem, has been one of the pioneers of this shift in India. In 2021, the company organised the Chess Super League, featuring national and international stars and also hosted Chess tournaments at DreamHack India 2024 across rapid and blitz formats.

“The inclusion of titles like BGMI, Street Fighter 6, Chess, and eFootball in the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 signals a big step forward for grassroots esports in India,” says Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and Managing Director of NODWIN Gaming. “It’s encouraging to see esports standing shoulder to shoulder with traditional sports, and the addition of Chess – bridging classical and digital strategy shows how in tune this initiative is with global trends. But this isn’t just about tournaments. It’s about creating real opportunities to discover talent from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, places that have been overlooked for too long, thus building the foundation for a future where Indian gamers don’t just participate, they dominate on the world stage.”

Further underscoring the growing stature of Indian Chess in esports, S8UL, a global force in esports and gaming content, has signed Grandmasters Aravindh Chithambaram and Nihal Sarin to compete at the EWC 2025. In addition to Chess, S8UL will also field players in Street Fighter 6, as well as EAFC25, Call of Duty Warzone, Tekken 8, and Apex Legends at the prestigious tournament.

Animesh Agarwal, Co-founder and CEO of S8UL believes that the inclusion of titles like Street Fighter 6, Chess, and eFootball console in KIYG 2025 reflects a thoughtful push to diversify beyond mobile gaming and build a more well-rounded competitive ecosystem. “It is especially encouraging to see Street Fighter 6 and Chess recognised through a government-led initiative, at a time when S8UL will be representing India in these very titles at the upcoming Esports World Cup. This development is crucial for identifying and nurturing talent across a range of platforms and genres from the grassroots level. Such proactive support from the authorities is a strong indicator of the growing legitimacy of esports in India and a positive sign for the industry’s future,” he adds.

The roots of esports entering the mainstream have already been visible across various states. Before its inclusion in KIYG 2025, the state of Bihar actively embraced the esports movement by organising the Bihar State Esports Open Championship and the Bihar Inter School and College Esports Championship over the past year. States like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Nagaland have also taken proactive steps to support and formalise grassroots esports programs.

Mikhail Bhuta, Co-Founder & Tech Lead, Dirtcube Interactive LLP remarked, “Including esports in the Khelo India Youth Games is a practical step toward building a grassroots ecosystem for new-age sports. We believe that through this program, we’ll soon see national esports heroes rise from across the country and bolster India’s representation on the global stage. With this being the inaugural season, we envision having Made-in-India esports-based games be part of KIYG’s future seasons.”

With S8UL participating in Chess and Street Fighter at the EWC 2025, India has already been making waves on the international stage in eFootball, with Pavan Kampelli winning the bronze medal at the 2024 Asian Esports Games in Bangkok.

Esports will be an official medal sport at the 2026 Asian Games, and the first-ever Olympic Esports Games is scheduled to debut in 2027. These developments mark a global shift toward legitimising esports within mainstream sporting culture.

KIYG 2025 featuring esports will help identify, nurture, and empower gaming talent from the ground up. With both state and national bodies supporting the push, the future of Indian esports looks brighter than ever.

MIG Cricket Club and CCI A won two matches each on the opening day of the Motiram Cup to make a strong start in the Motiram, Ulla and Kanji Cup Inter-Club Badminton Championships, organised by GMBA, and hosted by Willingdon Sports Club, here, on Thursday.

MIG, helmed by Mangrish Palekar and Ruturaj Rathod, blanked NSCI B 3-0 and then went on to outplay Thakur Sports Club by a similar scoreline.

CCI A, with fancied names like Nigel D’Sa and Siddhesh Aroskar in their ranks, beat NSCI A 3-0, before taking the court again to get the better of P M Hindu Bath 2-1 in the round robin action.

Brief Score

The Chembur Gymkhana beat CCI C 3-0

Parthive Nair/Amey Joshi bt Ketan Patel/Nihal Peerbhoy 15-3, 15-3; Siddharth Gupta (C) bt Rustom Warden 15-10, 15-6; Aman Farogh Sanjay/Suyog Lokhande bt Rishi Agarwal/Ritish Desai 15-9,15-4

MIG Cricket Club beat NSCI B 3-0

Arun Suresh/Siddhesh Raut bt Shreyansh Giya/Amay Vrudhman 15-5, 15-12; Ruturaj Rathod bt Gurpreet Singh 15-5, 15-7; Mangirish Palekar/ Ruturaj Rathod bt Mehull Agarwal/Ravi Kant Mall 15-4,15-7

Brihanmumbai Kreeda Ani Lalit Kala Pratishthan beat Bombay Gymkhana 3-0

Sushrut Karmakar/Anmoal Behrani bt Aditya Khansaheb/Jehan Daboo – 15-7, 15-11; Soham Phatak  bt Viraj Kuvale 9Bombay Gym) – 10-15, 15-9, 15-9; Harshal Soni/Soham Phatak was granted a walkover win against Ayaz Bilawala/Jatin Aggarwal

CCI A beat NSCI A 3-0

Siddhesh Aroskar/Nigel D’Sa  bt Siddharth Naudal/Sunnet Kabra  15-13, 15-11; Jawaduddhin Shaikh bt Siddharth Naudal 15-12, 7-15, 15-10; Harsh Jhaveri/Zarir Warden bt Jai Sonthalia/Yameer Sanghavi 15-12, 15-11

GCH beat NSCI C 3-0

Ishan Thaker/Dhruv Jhaveri bt Aditya Somani/Harsh Shah 15-9, 15-14, 11-15; Parthh Chandak bt Tejas Pikale 8-15, 15-10, 15-13; Atik Shah/Parthh Chandak bt Aryan Ahuja/Tejas Shah 15-7,11-15,15-9

MIG Cricket Club beat Thakur Sports Club 3-0

Arun Suresh/Siddhesh Raut bt Chandan Kashyap/Karthik Laxman 15-5,15-2; Ruturaj Rathod bt Shivaan Mishra 15-4, 9-15, 15-8; Mangirish Palekar/Ruturaj Rathod bt Amit Gupta/Shivaan Mishra 15-10,15-13

New Delhi, April 28, 2025: India delivered a historic performance at the 2nd Asian Yogasana Sport Championship, sweeping the medal tally with a record 83 gold medals at the prestigious event held at the KD Jadhav Arena, Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, New Delhi.

The championship concluded with a grand closing ceremony attended by Shri Harsh Malhotra, Hon’ble Minister of State for Corporate Affairs, Government of India, and Shri Ajay Chaudhary, Additional Commissioner of Police, Delhi, along with senior officials from the Asian and World Yogasana federations.

Mr. Umang Dawn, Secretary General of Asian Yogasana, opened the ceremony with a warm welcome, followed by an overview of the championship presented by Dr. Sanjay Malpani, President of Asian Yogasana. Dr. Jaideep Arya, Secretary General of World Yogasana, shared insights on yogasana’s growing global stature. A colorful cultural showcase added vibrancy to the celebrations.

Dr. Sanjay Malpani, President of Asian Yogasana emphasized, “Yogasana not only strengthens the body but also nurtures mental resilience and focus qualities essential for holistic well-being and societal progress. Events like these spread this important message far and wide.”

Mr. Udit Sheth, President of Yogasana Bharat said, “I’m proud of our Indian National Team for their spellbinding yogasana competitiveness. Spectacular medal tally. Just amazing!! As the sport is growing rapidly we have a lot of competition coming up and we need to sustain our excellence. Well done team India.”

The championship saw participation from over 21 countries, including Japan, Mongolia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan and others.

While India dominated with an unprecedented 83 Golds, Japan followed with 3 Gold, 3 Silver and 4 Bronze medals, while Mongolia, Oman and Nepal rounded off the top five standings.

Final Medal Tally Highlights:

– India — 83 Gold, 3 Silver, 1 Bronze (Rank 1)

– Japan — 3 Gold, 3 Silver, 4 Bronze (Rank 2)

– Mongolia — 1 Gold, 11 Silver, 6 Bronze (Rank 3)

– Oman — 1 Gold, 3 Silver, 7 Bronze (Rank 4)

– Nepal — 0 Gold, 27 Silver, 12 Bronze (Rank 5)

Countries such as Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Kazakhstan and Bhutan also showcased strong performances, highlighting the growing footprint of yogasana as a competitive sport across Asia.

The event concluded with a medal ceremony honoring the athletes and a formal farewell to the dignitaries, marking the end of a highly successful championship.

New Delhi, April 23, 2025: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Yogasana Bharat, officially announced that India will host the 2nd Asian Yogasana Sports Championship from April 25 to 27, 2025, at the prestigious Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi.

The press conference was addressed by leading dignitaries from the Yogasana movement: Shri Udit Sheth (President, Yogasana Bharat), Dr. Sanjay Malpani (President, Asian Yogasana), and Dr. Jaideep Arya (Secretary General, World Yogasana).

Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Hon’ble Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, will grace the Opening Ceremony on April 25, 2025, as the Chief Guest, further reinforcing India’s commitment to promoting Yogasana as a competitive global sport.

The Championship will feature:
• Participation from over 20 plus Asian countries,
• 170 athletes, along with
• 40 technical officers, and
• 30 team managers and coaches.

This event is a landmark step toward establishing Yogasana on the global sporting map.

Speaking at the press briefing, Shri Udit Sheth emphasized: “It’s a milestone moment for Yogasana sport as we host the Asian Championship in India and establish a global platform for our sport; my best wishes to the Indian National Team as this historic moment will echo for a lifetime in competitive sports.”

Dr. Sanjay Malpani, President of Asian Yogasana, shared: “The overwhelming response from athletes and federations demonstrates that Yogasana is ready for mainstream global recognition. This edition will be more inclusive and grander, promising a truly world-class event.”

Dr. Jaideep Arya, Secretary General of World Yogasana, highlighted: “Yogasana’s journey from a sacred practice to a celebrated global sport reflects the vision, resilience, and leadership of India. This Championship is poised to set new standards in competitive Yogasana sports.”

The Championship will bring together the finest Yogasana athletes competing across strength, flexibility, endurance, and artistic categories, while reflecting the deep spiritual roots and rigor of Yogic traditions.

As part of the celebrations:

Team India was officially introduced, showcasing athletes from diverse regions across the country. Each athlete’s story is one of grit, dedication, and excellence.

The official mascot was unveiled, embodying the spirit and strength of Yogasana.

The official Championship anthem was launched, capturing the energy, pride, and vision behind Yogasana’s emergence as a global sport.

Gurgaon, 16th April 2025: DP World, a leading global provider of smart end-to-end supply chain solutions, advanced its commitment to grassroots cricket by hosting a masterclass for young cricketers at Conscient Sports Arena, Gurgaon, as part of its global Beyond Boundaries Initiative. The girls and boys, who participated in the masterclass have been beneficiaries of this initiative, belonging to Delhi Capitals’ grassroots academies.

The masterclass featured Delhi Capitals stars KL Rahul, Abhishek Porel, and Vipraj Nigam, alongside Director of Cricket Venugopal Rao, Head Coach Hemang Badani, and Bowling Coach Munaf Patel. The training session delivered practical insights into technical skills building, developing physical strength and mental discipline – offering the young players a unique opportunity to learn directly from some of cricket’s biggest stars and seasoned coaches.

Sunil Gupta, Chief Executive Officer, Delhi Capitals said, “This masterclass reinforces Delhi Capitals’ and DP World’s shared commitment of empowering the next generation of cricketers, be it by providing access to the right equipment and facilities, or training sessions and inspiration from their cricketing idols. Watching these young cricketers train today and seeing their hunger to learn was incredibly fulfilling.”

The participants were kitted out in the professional gear they had previously received in 2024, when DP World delivered 500 kits to grassroots academies and unveiled two repurposed shipping containers at Delhi’s Aerocity Ground. These containers, each uniquely designed with custom artwork, now serve as functional changing rooms and pavilions for young players.

Since launching during the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, DP World has pledged ten cricket kits for every 100 runs scored in ICC tournaments, pledging 4,470 kits to date. Of that figure, DP World has delivered 2,750 cricket kits so far globally, including 1,250 in India, with five repurposed containers deployed across the country in Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, and Ahmedabad.

Mumbai, March 31, 2025: The 32nd edition of the IMPACT Cricket Tournament, hosted by Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research (WeSchool), recently concluded at Matunga Gymkhana, Mumbai.

As one of the most prestigious inter-B-school sporting events, the tournament saw outstanding participation from 12 leading business schools, competing in 33 matches over two weeks.

The grand finale witnessed an intense contest between WeSchool and Lala Lajpatrai Institute of Management, with WeSchool securing the championship title. The winning team was awarded a cash prize of ₹50,000, while the runner-up received ₹25,000 and a trophy.

Individual excellence was also recognized, with Pranesh Dhuru (WeSchool) earning the Man of the Match title. Jatin Shelke (Lala Lajpatrai) was named Best Batsman, while his teammate Vinay More dominated the awards, winning Best Fielder, Best Bowler, and Player of the Tournament.

Reflecting on the significance of such events while handing over the awards, the Group Director of WeSchool, Prof. Dr. Uday Salunkhe remarked, “Sports is not just an extracurricular activity; they are integral to management education. They raise the bar for teamwork, leadership, and decision-making, qualities that every manager needs. At WeSchool, we believe in fostering not only academic excellence but also the physical and emotional intelligence that sports brings to the table.”

Delhi | March 28th, 2025: The 5th edition of ROTTO PGIMER Transplant Games 2025 concluded on an inspiring note, bringing together over 300 transplant recipients and organ donors in a spectacular celebration of resilience and determination at Sector 7 Sports Complex, Chandigarh. Organized by PGIMER Chandigarh in collaboration with Organ Transplant Trust, ORGAN India, ROTTO North, and Indian Society of Transplant Surgeons, this two-day sporting extravaganza not only championed the cause of life after transplantation but showcased the extraordinary skills of transplant athletes.

 Many participants, who once battled life-threatening organ failure, exhibited extraordinary grit and passion.
From high-energy sprints and badminton duels to precision javelin throws, endurance-testing race-walks, the Games witnessed awe-inspiring performances across two age categories—under 40 and over 40 years. The Games, an annual fixture at PGI, went a step further this year and partnered with ORGAN India to introduced competitive events for elite athletes, many of whom have participated in the World Transplant Games for the past few years. The Games served as a stepping stone for transplant recipients aiming to compete in the World Transplant Games, offering them a platform to gain experience and build motivation. Badminton, athletics and Petanque were introduced in the competitive sports matches to prepare athletes for the next World Transplant Games to be held in Germany in August 2025. In fact, this is the first time that there is a national level Petanque competition in North India.

 “We were delighted when ROTTO and PGI suggested that we hold competitive games in partnership with them. It will give athletes going to Germany a chance to hone their skills, build confidence, and prep for the stiff competition they will face in Dresden in August.” Says Sunayana Singh, CEO ORGAN India and Country Representative at the World Transplant Games Federation.

 It was an electric atmosphere as the police band played and athletes from different states marched past the dignitaries.
“We are so excited that there was so much participation from across the country.” says Anika Parashar, Chairperson, Parashar Foundation. There was representation by athletes across India. Participants came from nearly 15 states, including Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Goa, UP, Uttarakhand, J&K, Jharkhand, Pondicherry, Maharashtra, Bihar, Manipur, Delhi and Odisha.

 “We thought we knew most of the good transplant athletes in India. But we found several players whom we never knew about, who are fantastic at their sport. These Games give all transplant athletes a chance to shine and be noticed” says Shankar Arora, ORGAN India Team Manager for the Indian team going to Germany in August 2025.

The highlight of the event was the felicitation of donor families, whose magnanimous gesture amid their grim tragedy gave a second chance at life to those counting their days through transplant.

 Addressing the gathering as Chief Guest, Mr. Rajpal, Former Captain, Indian National Hockey Team, drew a powerful parallel between relay races and organ donation, stating: “Just as a relay race thrives on the seamless passing of the baton, organ donation embodies the profound exchange of life. When our time comes to step back, we should pass on a precious gift, ensuring that our legacy continues, and others can race forward with newfound hope.”

 Echoing similar sentiments, Dr. Anil Kumar, Director, NOTTO, lauded PGIMER’s unwavering commitment to organ donation, stating: “The ROTTO PGIMER Transplant Games are not just a competition; they are a movement—one that instils hope, encourages organ donation, and proves that life after transplantation is not only possible but full of potential.”

 The event also saw the presence of eminent dignitaries, including: Dr. Harsha Jauhari, President, Indian Association of Transplant Surgeons, Prof. Mukt Minz, Ex-Head, Dept. of Renal Transplant Surgery , Mr. Vivek Atray, Ex-IAS & motivational speaker, Prof. Vipin Koushal, Medical Superintendent cum Head, Dept. of Hospital Administration cum Nodal Officer, ROTTO , Prof. Ajay Duseja, Head, Dept. of Hepatology , Prof. Ranjana Minz, Former Head, Dept. of Immunopathology, Prof. Ashok Kumar, Dept. of Hospital Administration, PGIMER.

 Many participants have proudly represented India internationally and have won medals at World Transplant Games, reinforcing the message that organ transplantation is not a limitation but an opportunity for a renewed life.

 Among the many inspiring stories was that of kidney recipient Digvijay Singh from Jabalpur, now a professional bodybuilder and silver and bronze medallist at previous World Transplant Games. Digvijay shared his remarkable journey from a terminal kidney patient to a champion, stating: “Never give up. Trust in your instincts—that’s the mantra to overcome any hurdle in life.”

 Another inspiring story was of Preeti who had a heart transplant at Delhi 25 years ago and won a bronze medal in badminton. And of Swati Kapre 60 yrs who has had a liver transplant 22 years ago and won silver in badminton.

 Ankit, a student from Rajasthan who has had a kidney transplant, stunned everyone with incredible talent in all sports, and Ramdev and Satbir, two farmers from Haryana and Rajasthan floored all with their speed and skill. And the largest contingent, which was from Rajasthan had Harsha Sharma, Amit Sharma, Hitesh Sharma, Bhawani Singh, all medalists from the World Transplant Games 2023, who are incredibly talented at Petanque and are responsible for this French game to be introduced in North India.

Mumbai, March 17, 2025: The Saraswati Devi Memorial Cup 2025, organized by SanRaj Family Ventures Pvt. Ltd. (SanRaj Group), united 24 teams and over 500 players from the Jaiswal community from Maharashtra for an electrifying tournament at the Saraswati Sports Complex, Malad West, Mumbai on March 15-16, 2025. Sponsored by Chandrakant Gupta, Sandip Gupta, and Rajdip Gupta, the event provided a competitive platform for the community to showcase their passion for cricket, while also celebrating culture and unity as the community comes together.

The tournament featured intense matches, standout performances, and enthusiastic community participation, with 16 men’s teams and 8 women’s teams competing. Cricket fans, friends, and families of the participants witnessed the colourful cricket festival live, as the entire event was streamed on the Cric29 YouTube channel, ensuring that every thrilling moment reached a wider audience. The cricket fest was followed by Holi celebrations on March 16 that further added to the excitement, with players and spectators coming together in a vibrant display of joy and unity.

Rajdip Gupta, Co-Founder – SanRaj Group said, “The Saraswati Devi Memorial Cup holds a special place in our hearts. Sports and culture have always been two strong pillars of our journey, and there is no better way to give back to our community than by providing young athletes from the Jaiswal community a platform to showcase their talents. It is incredibly fulfilling to see people from across the state come together to support and participate in this vision. Witnessing the enthusiasm, sportsmanship, and passion throughout the event has been truly rewarding, as we proudly dedicate this tournament to our grandmother, Saraswati Devi.”

SanRaj Group takes immense pride in owning and managing cricket franchises that reflect their strategic vision and deep passion for the game. Through Chennai Singams in the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL T-10) and North Mumbai Panthers in the T20 Mumbai League, along with several Mumbai Cricket Association-affiliated clubs under the SanRaj Group, they have built a strong reputation within the cricketing world. By leveraging innovative strategies and inculcating a competitive spirit, their focus extends beyond team performance—the group remains committed to creating a lasting impact on the broader cricket community. This dedication drives them to elevate the sport, inspire future generations, and solidify cricket’s enduring legacy.

Hyderabad, 8th February 2025: India’s paracyclists have once again brought glory to the nation by delivering outstanding performances on Day 1 of the Asian Road & Paracycling Championship held in Phichit, Thailand. Representing various states of India, these exceptional para-athletes showcased unparalleled determination, skill, and resilience, winning hearts and accolades on the international stage.

The Indian contingent displayed a remarkable performance, securing 4 medals, including 1 Gold, 2 Silver, and 1 Bronze, against some of the toughest competitors from across Asia.

Winners from India

•  Jyoti Gaderiya from Maharashtra, won Gold in the Individual Time Travel – Women’s C2 Category.
•  Arshad Shaik from Andhra Pradesh clinched Silver in the Individual Time Travel – Men’s C2 Category.
•  Jalaluddin Ansari from Bihar clinched Bronze in the Individual Time Travel – Men’s C2 Category.
•  Prashant Arkal from Maharashtra clinched Silver in the Individual Time Travel – Men’s Handcycling H4 Category.

Statements from the Athletes

Para-athletes expressed their happy emotions about the victory and their gratitude towards supporters, support staff, and the country

Support and Mentorship

The victory is a testament to the para-athletes’ hard work, the guidance of their coach Mr. Aditya Mehta & the support staff at Aditya Mehta Foundation, and the relentless support from organizations like the Invesco, Aditya Mehta Foundation, Alcon, GMMCO. These organizations have been pivotal in providing access to training, equipment, and rehabilitation services for India’s para-athletes.

Future Plans

These victories mark a significant milestone in Indian parasports and serve as a stepping stone towards preparing for larger platforms like the World Championships and the Paralympics 2028.

Hyderabad, February 1, 2025….Hyderabad promising bicyclist Ashirwad Saxena of Telangana State Cycling Association won the Bronze Medal in 120 km Mass Start Road Race in the 38th National Games held at Uttarakhand. He finished his race in 02:48:39.029

Aashirwad Saxena is an international cyclist from Hyderabad. He is one of the members of the Indian contingent. He performed well in this race as a Road rider. He is the most promising professional bicyclist from Hyderabad and won many championships at various levels in the past

Telangana Cycling Association and Sports Authority of Telangana Committee members congratulated him on his remarkable performance and winning Bronze medal

Sri Malla Reddy, President of Telangana Cycling Association and Secretary Telangana Olympic Association and B. Vijaykanth Rao, General Secretary, Maxwell Trevor, Chairman, CFI Athlet4e Committee and K. Dattatreya Organising Secretary appreciated him for his best performance.

The 38th National Games are being hosted in Dehradun, Uttarakhand during its Silver Jubilee year and are held in 11 cities across 8 districts of Uttarakhand till 14th February. 36 states and one union territory are participate in the National Games. Around 10,000 athletes are competing for medals across 32 disciplines in the Games.