Esports: Indian Esports Athletes and Industry talk about why Esports should be in Asian Games 

Recently, esports made its debut in the Commonwealth Games, and the Indian team finished the tournament of Dota 2 with a bronze medal after defeating New Zealand 2-0 in the quarter-finals. The Indian team comprised five players: Moin Ejaz (captain), Abhishek Yadav, Ketan Goyal, Vishal Vernekar and Shubham Goli.

After showcasing an incredible performance at the CWG 2022, the Indian esports teams are set to participate in the upcoming Asian Games to be held between September 23 to October 8, 2023.

Esports is making a debut at the Asian Games too next year as a medal event. In 2018, esports was launched in the Asian Games as a demonstration title and Tirth Mehta, an Indian esports player, won a bronze medal in Hearthstone.

Now that the world has started recognising the field as a legitimate sport by taking the initiative to include it in all the important tournaments of the year, Indian esports players and fans have also started talking about recognising esports as a sport in India. 

On the issue, the captain of the DOTA 2 team, Moin Ejaz, said, "After winning the medal at the Commonwealth Esports championship in Birmingham, it's high time that esports should be recognised as a sport. Esports athletes need their due recognition and support from our government and help us provide better facilities, coaches, health physios and all other things other sports athletes get as getting a medal for the country need proper support."

While commenting on the same issue, Charanjit Singh, representing India in the upcoming Asian Games for the event of FIFA 22, said, "Recognising esports as a sport will help a lot. This can lead to esports having a proper framework, facilities and opportunities for everyone. This will automatically lead to the growth of the Esports industry as well. More athletes would want to join in and represent the country at global stages."

Meanwhile, Mr Lokesh Suji, Director, Esports Federation of India & Vice President of the Asian Esports Federation, has also been very vocal about the need to increase the game's popularity and bring the sport the same respect and support that the other popular sports receive. 

He said, "With the medal wins at Asian Games 2018 & now at Commonwealth Esports Championship, the time has come to recognise esports as a sport. The potential of Indian esports and our athletes cannot be ignored and its recognition becomes more critical before the Asian Games 2022 (scheduled next year), this will open up doors for investments & opportunities which will lead to training & skill development of our athletes. It is encouraging to see our Hon'ble Sports Minister Shri Anurag Thakur Ji launching a mobile video game "Azadi Quest: Heroes of Bharat & Match3" in line with India's celebration of Azadi Ka Amritmahotsav, following should be recognised of esports as a sport."