S8UL launches India’s first-ever FGC Talent Hunt Program to discover the next stars in Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6
Mumbai, Dec 05: S8UL, a global powerhouse in esports and gaming content, has announced a landmark initiative for India’s fighting game community (FGC) with the launch of its Talent Hunt Program for Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6. Scheduled from January to June 2026, the six-month program aims to identify and develop India’s next breakthrough fighting-game athletes through a structured, high-performance ecosystem, positioning the country prominently on the global FGC map.
Unlike traditional talent hunts, S8UL’s initiative is designed as a long-term athlete development pipeline. From a nationwide pool of participants, six players—two for Tekken 8 and four for Street Fighter 6 will be selected based on their performance in nationwide qualifiers and finals.
Selected athletes will receive one of the most comprehensive support structures ever offered in India’s competitive FGC space, including:
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Dedicated professional coaching for each game throughout the six-month program
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Fully-funded participation in a minimum of three international Tier-1 tournaments
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Comprehensive travel support, including flights, accommodation, meals, local transport, and tournament registration
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Monthly stipend to allow athletes to focus entirely on training and performance
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Integration into S8UL’s content ecosystem, providing visibility, narrative-building, and community reach
Speaking about the program, Animesh Agarwal, Co-founder and CEO of S8UL Esports, said:
“India’s fighting game community has shown tremendous potential, but players have rarely had access to a structured environment that supports long-term growth. Through this Talent Hunt Program, we aim to provide professional coaching, international tournament experience, and comprehensive support. This is not a short-term project—it’s a sustained effort to build a strong foundation for fighting games in India and give our players a fair chance to compete globally.”
S8UL currently competes across nine leading esports titles and is strengthening its presence in fighting games. The organization became the first Indian team selected for the Esports World Cup’s Club Partner Program and participated in qualifiers for titles such as Fatal Fury and Tekken 8, underscoring its long-term commitment to the FGC ecosystem.
The S8UL Gaming House, one of India’s most advanced esports facilities, will serve as the training hub for Talent Hunt athletes. Equipped with structured training schedules, dedicated practice zones, content studios, and analytics support, the facility offers a high-performance environment that fosters both competitive growth and personal brand development. Athletes will learn not only to compete at the highest level but also to engage audiences through content, storytelling, and community interaction.
With fighting games gaining momentum worldwide through major events such as EVO, Esports World Cup, and the Asian Games, S8UL’s Talent Hunt Program arrives at a pivotal moment for India’s esports ecosystem and is expected to play a key role in positioning the country as a rising force in the global FGC landscape.
