The competition featured skilled players from five countries, challenging India’s national winners across two popular titles. In eFootball, competing against top contenders from global esports powerhouses Malaysia, Thailand, and Laos, DaNiAL cruised through to the final, beating Southiphone Singthong (Laos) 5-3 and Nathawat Satake (Thailand) 2-1. He then held his nerve to defeat Malaysia’s Mohamad Azrudin Bin Yaacob 2-0 in the thrilling Grand Finale. Satake rounded out the podium.

Squaring up against Sri Lanka’s Mohamad Shaad Mohamad Uvaiz and Nepal’s Rajat Budathoki, Tejas dominated the WCC3 round-robin and final series, sealing his title with a victory over the latter.

Speaking on the occasion, ESFI President, Mr Vinod Tiwari, said: “WAVES is a visionary initiative, and we are deeply grateful to Prime Minister Modi for placing Indian esports on the international stage with such foresight. Under his leadership, the sector is moving in the right direction with purpose and momentum. India’s historic first international golds at WESC are a testament to that progress. In a high-stakes arena, our athletes didn’t just compete, they delivered. DaNiAL and Tejas showed exactly the kind of composure, maturity, and gameplay that defines the future of Indian esports.”

The WAVES Esports Championship wrapped up with medal ceremonies held during the Creatosphere Awards, marking a strong finish to what has been a landmark moment for Indian esports on home soil.

Speaking on his victory in eFootball, DaNiAL said: “Winning the international leg of WAVES was an unforgettable experience. Competing on a global stage pushed me beyond my limits, and the energy, talent, and passion I witnessed were truly inspiring. WAVES gave me not just platform to showcase my skills, but also memories and connections that will last a lifetime.”

When asked about the WAVES event and his gameplay, Tejas, said: “The world’s waves may crash loud, but the calm of a focused mind always wins the league. Waves don’t just shape shores — they shape souls that dare to ride them.”

As the governing body for esports in India, ESFI plays a vital role in defining the nation’s competitive gaming scene. Boasting involvement in events like the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Esports Championship, along with partnerships with prominent global entities, ESFI hosted WESC at the prestigious WAVES Summit, reinforcing its dedication to elevating India’s presence in the international esports arena.

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Érika Tatiana Sánchez Pinto, House Representative for Santander and author of the initiative, thanked Congress for its affirmative vote and recognized the efforts of the youth, leagues, and players who have fought for this recognition. “History was made today. Of more than a thousand bills presented each year, only 10% or fewer are approved. This is a great victory for e-sports,” she stated. This approval also represents a milestone for FEDECOLDE, which has been working on the project with the author for almost two years, motivating players to become professional athletes and promoting an institutional framework that fosters the growth of the e-sports ecosystem in the country.

This legal milestone will establish clear and appropriate regulations for the practice of e-sports in Colombia, fostering its development, inclusion, and professionalization as an integral component of
national sport.

For her part, the rapporteur in the Senate, Senator Norma Hurtado, welcomed the decision, highlighting that “today, Colombian sports are modernizing and updating after 26 years. It has been a difficult process, but one that has opened up different possibilities for Colombian athletes.” Hurtado explained that e-sports encompass individual or collective competitions through electronic systems, primarily video games such as League of Legends, DOTA 2, FIFA, and Counter-Strike.

The project also received unanimous political support from other legislators. Senator Ana Paola Agudelo, of the MIRA party, emphasized that “technology is the present, and we are adapting to these new media. This is a balanced project that provides new motivations for young people.”

With this approval, Colombia takes a momentous step toward modernizing sports, adapting to the new technological and cultural dynamics prevailing globally.

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In 2001, Russia became the one of first countries to recognize esports as an official sport. Since then, esports has been actively supported at the state level. For 25 years, the federation has held more than 10,000 national, international and other tournaments, bringing together more than 2,500,000 esports players from all over the world. In 2024, the Russian Esports Federation held up to 7 tournaments a day only in online format!

Over the years, Russian esports players have repeatedly loudly declared themselves in the international arena. Since the World and European Championships, Russian esports athletes have repeatedly brought home medals of all merits. To this day, despite numerous sanctions and restrictions, Russian players win their teams at major international professional tournaments and become the best players of the year in their respective programs.

The real decoration of the Russian esports scene are the grand LAN finals. Today, most fans gather at the final stages of the Russian Esports Federation competitions, including:

• The Championship of Russia;
• Russian Cup;
• RESF Open;
• The BRICS Championship;
• Open esports student games (OXY);
• All-Russian Student Esports League;
• National Student Esports League;
• School Mindsports&Esports League;
• Russian Electronic Football Cup;
• The Electronic Football Championship of Russia.

Participants of the largest tournaments under the auspices of the Russian Esports Federation compete not only for titles, but also for an impressive prize pool. For 25 years, the federation has paid more than 300,000,000 rubles to the winners of the competitions.

The scale of RESF’s national and international competitions is increasing every year. In 2024, on behalf of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, an international esports competition, the Cyber Vostok Championship, was held in Vladivostok. In October 2024, the LAN finals were held for the first time at the Bolshoi Sports Palace, one of the main venues of the 2014 Olympic Games. BRICS Esports Championship has become a notable event among the fighting games community. 

In addition to the growing number of athletes and countries participating in the tournaments of the Russian Esports Federation, the improvement of the esports infrastructure and competition venues has been particularly noticeable in recent years. Today, more than 3,000 computer clubs operate in 89 regions, and their number is growing by 15-20% annually.

In 2024, a significant event took place – the federation had a mascot, manul Smerch, which was presented on October 17 at the XII International Sports Forum “Russia – a Sporting power” in Ufa. From that moment on, Smerch became an integral part of all the events of the Russian Esports Federation. Smerch energizes athletes to win and gives fans an unforgettable experience of the finals. As part of the 25th anniversary, the federation took care of manuls from the Moscow and St. Petersburg zoos.

Over the 25 years of its existence, the Russian Esports Federation has actively strengthened its role on the social agenda. Every year, the federation actively participates in state forums: the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, the Eastern Economic Forum, the “Russia – a Sporting Power” Forum, and the All-Russian Student Sports Festival “ASSC.Fest”, the World Youth Festival, the International Exhibition-Forum “Russia” and others. The Russian Esports Federation maintains contacts with charitable foundations. As part of the LAN finals of the Russian Esports Cup, the federation and the DobroFON charity program implemented the “From Heart to Heart” project. Every year, more and more scientific articles, educational and methodological manuals on esports are published, and various studies are conducted with esports players. Representatives of the federation constantly conduct educational programs in the All-Russian children’s centers “Artek”, “Smena” and “Orlyonok”.

The Russian Esports Federation sincerely thanks all the athletes and fans who care about esports. We very much appreciate the warmest wishes and greatest congratulations that our colleagues from other countries expressed. We are 25 and continue moving forward to the big future of esports together with all you, colleagues and friends!

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The 2024 edition was made possible through the support of Maccabi Israel, the leading sports
movement in the country, and Kravitz, a premier Israeli gaming retailer. As preparations begin for the 2025 edition, IESA is excited to expand its reach and offer even more opportunities for players and communities nationwide.

2024 Gaming Fund Project: By the Numbers

In 2024, the Gaming Fund Project hosted an impressive 51 tournaments, covering a diverse array of gaming titles. The initiative saw a total of 537 unique participants, demonstrating the rapid growth of Esports engagement in Israel. The top games by participation included:

• League of Legends
• Tekken
• Valorant
• eFootball
• EA Sports FC Series

Additionally, 80% of total players participated in more than one tournament, showing strong retention and competitive commitment. The tournament series attracted both emerging talents and seasoned competitors, furthering our bid to make Israel a regional Esports hub. Other popular titles that saw strong participation included Rocket League, Counter-Strike, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Magic: The Gathering Arena, EA Sports F1, and Assetto Corsa Compatizione.

In terms of age distribution, the youngest participant in 2024 was 15 years old, while the oldest was 59. Overall, 43% of participants were between the ages of 15-24, and 46% were between 25-34. The remaining participants fell within the 35-59 age range.

Looking Ahead: 2025 Expansion

Following the resounding success of 2024, the IESA is gearing up for an even more ambitious 2025 Gaming Fund Project. The upcoming season will introduce more game titles, new competition formats, and expanded community-driven events to ensure even greater inclusivity and accessibility. With an emphasis on fostering local talent and creating more structured pathways for competitive gamers, the 2025 project is set to elevate Israeli Esports to new heights.

IESA President, Ido Brosh, commented: “The Gaming Fund Project is more than just a competition—it’s a movement. We’ve witnessed incredible engagement from players of all backgrounds, and our goal for 2025 is to build on this momentum, providing even more opportunities for gamers to showcase their skills and develop their careers in Esports.”

With Israel’s Esports scene continuing to thrive, the IESA invites players, organizers, and
partners to join the movement and contribute to the growing success of competitive gaming
in the country.

The post The Israeli Esports Association Celebrates a Successful2024 Gaming Fund Project and Announces Expansion for 2025 appeared first on IESF.

The event will feature multiple gaming titles and provide an opportunity to compete on the world stage
in international tournaments. Additionally, the expo will provide a platform for game developers, tech companies, and esports influencers to connect and discuss the future of gaming and digital entertainment in Nepal. Special workshops on game development, streaming careers, and esports business models will further enrich the event’s offerings.

Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, Mr. Rupak Rajbanshi, Chairperson of the NCC Education & Sports Committee emphasized the importance of this partnership in advancing Nepal’s esports landscape. Mr. Suraj Dangol, President of NESA, expressed his enthusiasm for Nepal’s rapidly growing esports culture and the global opportunities it presents. This three-year collaboration reflects NCC’s commitment to fostering a thriving esports ecosystem in Nepal. The endorsed events are expected to attract national and international stakeholders, significantly contributing to the growth of Nepal’s esports industry and economy.

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Nominations were called in advance for the Executive Committee and elections of new and returning members to key positions. Raveen Wijayatilake was re-elected as President, with Dinuka Ratnayake stepping into the role of Vice President. Ramesh Liyanage and Vikum Jayasekera retained their positions as Secretary and Treasurer, respectively, while Chathra Jayasekera continued as Assistant Secretary. Ashen Dion Nanayakkara was elected as the Media Secretary, Gavin Moragoda as Assistant Media Secretary, and Kamith Lakmal as Chairperson of the Clan Committee.

The AGM also reviewed the past year’s achievements, highlighting the ongoing efforts to advance Esports in Sri Lanka to new heights. Significant progress has been made toward providing athletes with salaries and national colors, aligning Esports with the standards of traditional sports, and advancing it on its journey toward becoming a fully professional sport in the country. SLESA reaffirmed its commitment to establishing a robust and sustainable framework for the sport, ensuring its growth responsibly.

The upcoming term is expected to be an exciting period for Sri Lanka Esports, with Esports included in several international events on the horizon. These include the Olympic Esports Games, the Asian Games, the Asian Youth Games, the International Esports Federation World Esports Championship, and the Global Esports Federation Global Esports Games. These events will provide a platform for Sri Lankan athletes to showcase their skills on a global stage, further strengthening the country’s presence in the international Esports arena.

With strong leadership and a clear vision, Sri Lanka Esports is poised to reach new heights, paving the way for a promising future for Esports in the country and inspiring the next generation of Esports athletes to carry the sport forward.

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The E-Esports Career Day and Workshop aimed to kindle the academic and professional ambitions of
young scholars, guiding them towards non-traditional career trajectories in the esports sector. This
initiative signifies a major step towards cultivating a new generation of innovators and leaders equipped
to handle the challenges of contemporary industries.

In an inspiring speech, Prof. Abdulkadir B. Mohamed, Vice-Chancellor of Accord University, highlighted the event’s importance, stating, “At Accord University, we are dedicated to creating platforms that prepare our students for the changing job market. Today’s event, hosted on our campus, reaffirms our commitment to developing future leaders not only in esports but across various domains.”

The esports industry, currently valued in the multi-billion-dollar range, is anticipated to expand to $1.87
billion by 2025, opening up significant opportunities for Somali students. Abdullahi Mohamud, President
of the E-Somali Sports Federation, shared his vision, “This is just the beginning of a new chapter for esports in Somalia. Our partnership with Accord University to host this event is crucial in positioning our youth as leaders in this global field.”

Abdilahi Abdirashid Mohamed, Secretary-General of the E-Somali Sports Federation, conveyed his
enthusiasm, stating, “Our strategic partnerships, such as this one with Accord University, are vital in
providing our youth with opportunities to pursue their dreams while contributing to the economic growth
of our nation.”

Salma Abdi Hassan Omar, Vice-President of the United Nations Association of Somalia, remarked on the
event’s global impact, “Esports transcends national boundaries, bringing together diverse communities.
Today’s initiative at Accord University marks Somalia’s emergence as a key player in the international
esports scene.”

Nagan Ali Ibrahim, Chief Administrator of Accord University, expressed gratitude, “We are deeply thankful to the Accord Students’ Union, the Accord Esports Club, and all participants for their invaluable
contributions to this success at Accord University. Their innovation and leadership are crucial in shaping
the future of esports in Somalia.”

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“Know Your Games” is an initiative by the NSJF Academy to train its member journalists in understanding various sports, including their technicalities, to ensure accurate and insightful sports reporting. This edition, focusing on esports, sought to bridge the knowledge gap between traditional sports media and the growing realm of competitive gaming.

Held at the Blue Star Complex, Thapathali, the program brought together 30 sports journalists from leading Nepali media outlets. The event was designed to empower journalists with comprehensive knowledge of esports, its global growth, and Nepal’s opportunities within this fast-paced industry.
NSJF Academy Chairperson Niranjan Rajbanshi, who also serves as the Treasurer of AIPS Asia, inaugurated the event. He highlighted the significance of educating journalists about esports, which is transforming the sports landscape globally. “This program has been an eye-opener for many of us in the sports journalism community. Esports is no longer just entertainment; it is a serious industry with immense potential for Nepal,” he remarked.

NESA President Suraj Dongol delivered an in-depth presentation on the global and local esports landscape, emphasizing Nepal’s potential in the international esports ecosystem. His session shed light on how Nepal can integrate into the global esports movement by fostering talent and building a strong ecosystem. Nepal’s IESF-certified referees, Arun Mishra and Saujanya Shrestha, provided technical insights into esports formats, scoring systems, and competitive gaming structures. Their session offered participants a clear understanding of how tournaments are organized, judged, and scored, making esports accessible for accurate reporting.

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The event was graced by Mr. Kalyan Chaubey, Joint secretary & acting CEO of the IOA who presented the training kits to Street Fighter V athlete Mayank Prajapati, League of Legends player Mihir Ranjan and FIFA ace Harman Tikka in the presence of Mr. Lokesh Suji, Director of ESFI & Vice President of the Asian Esports Federation (AESF), Mr. Yugal Sharma, Vice President of ESFI, and Mr. Prabhat Kumar, Vice-President of ESFI. Mr. Chaubey also engaged in discussion with the ESFI representatives and Indian athletes to motivate them for the Asian Games and talk about fostering an ecosystem that enables Esports to thrive in the country.

“We are confident about Esports having a strong future in India where it will generate a significant amount of interest driven by the young demographic of players in the country. Esports is a new-age sport that every country is playing and the upcoming Asian Games will mark the beginning of a marathon where we hope that our talented athletes help India take a giant lead against the other competitors. Just like the USA is synonymous with baseball, Finland is with ice-hockey, Brazil, Spain, Germany is with football today, the world should be talking about India whenever we talk about Esports. The IOA remains fully committed to supporting our athletes & ESFI in every possible way, standing by them as they strive to achieve remarkable success and bring home medals.”

Kalyan Chaubey, the Joint secretary & acting CEO

Esports recently gained official recognition as a multi-sport event by the government of India and is set to make its debut as a full-fledged medal sport at the upcoming Hangzhou Asian Games. The country will be sending a proficient 15-member contingent to compete in four different titles including DOTA 2, FIFA 22, Street Fighter V, and League of Legends at the prestigious tournament set to take place from September 23 to October 8.

“We felt really good after meeting with Kalyan sir and having a positive discussion about Esports with him. His being as passionate about Esports as us gamers made the conversation enlightening for all of us and overall, it was a super productive experience. Also, a huge shout-out to ESFI & Hama for providing us with the gaming peripherals.”

Street Fighter athlete, Mayank Prajapati

The athletes secured their berth for the tournament by prevailing in the National Esports Championship (NESC 22) organized by the ESFI last year. The rest of the members of the Indian contingent will receive their training kits via courier.

“Hearing Mr. Kalyan answer our queries was quite reassuring for all of us. It was a motivating session that helped us realize how the IOA is supporting our endeavors and taking an active effort to further broaden the scope of Esports in India.”

League of Legends athlete, Mihir Ranjan

Comprising state-of-the-art gaming accessories including a mouse, mousepad, headset, keyboard, and a bag, the training kits will enhance the performance of the country’s athletes when they represent India on the international stage.

“I was really happy to see Indian Olympic Association support us with top-quality facilities. It gives us motivation to perform better and make our country proud. The facilities provided to us will help us step up our game at the Asian Games.”

FIFA athlete, Karman Tikka

While the ESFI has been instrumental in preparing the Indian Esports contingent for the Asian Games, their recent multi-year partnership with FITGMR will be vital to enabling a comprehensive training program that will provide the athletes with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed on the global stage.

“We are extremely thankful of the IOA and Mr. Kalyan Chaubey for sharing their invaluable
vision regarding the development of Esports in the country and extending their support in
fostering its growth. India’s talented athletes competing at the Asian Games in Hangzhou
will serve as a pivotal moment in the country’s Esports journey so far. The training kits
presented to them today will equip them in their optimal preparation for the tournament,
boosting their performance to let them play at the highest level. Everyone at ESFI is looking
forward to working with the IOA to help our athletes make the country proud.”

Mr.Lokesh Suji, Director of ESFI & Vice President of the Asian Esports Federation (AESF)

The IOA and the ESFI will work together to promote Esports in India and provide a
conducive environment for growth as well as ensure opportunities for budding Esports
athletes to showcase their talent on the international stage.

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The National Championships will be held virtually with top athletes from across the country engaging in a high-voltage competition in the popular games: eFootball 2022, CS:GO and Tekken7. 

The DOTA team, comprising of veteran athletes like Moin Ejaz (captain), Krish, Abhishek, Ketan & Darshan, which qualified for the 2022 Asian Games, will be part of Team India for the 14^th World Esports Championships. 

“We urge all esports athletes to participate in large numbers and become a part of the Indian esports contingent for the 14th edition of the World Esports Championships. The increasing interest for esports in our country currently is encouraging for us to push the envelope and give the athletes and the audience something new and exciting each time,” said Lokesh Suji, Director of Esports Federation of India and Vice President of the Asian Esports Federation.

“This year’s World Championships will be the biggest in history with around 1,000 pro teams/athletes expected to participate. We also have multiple prestigious tournaments coming up like Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, etc. This truly is the esports fraternity’s time as the ‘rising-sun’ and ESFI is all geared-up to make India esports powerhouse globally. I am certain that our esports contingent will not only put up a strong fight but also strive for a podium finish,” Suji added. 

The Indian contingent, selected based on their performances in the NESC2022, will take part in the World Esports Championships Regional Qualifiers, for which dates will be announced soon by the IESF. The Regional Qualifiers will be organised along with the other continental federations.

The Global Finals of the World Esports Championships will take place in Bali, Indonesia from November 27 to December 9. 

Country’s one of the top sports & esports communication agencies, Artsmith-Concepts & Visions, will continue its support to the Esports Federation of India as their official communication partner. 

Over 120 countries from all over the globe are expected to participate in the IESF’s flagship event where the prize pool has been increased from $55,000 in 2021 to $500,000 this year.

The registrations for the NESC2022 have started from Wednesday (June 1) with the last date being June 15. Link and other details for registration are available on ESFI Discord server: https://discord.gg/esfi

The NESC’22 will be played in a double elimination format. The exciting action from the Championships will be streamed live on ESFI’s official YouTube and Facebook page.

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