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Industry stakeholders believe the move will attract more talent to the industry, pave the way for structured career paths, create long-term professional opportunities for both athletes and coaches, and result in better funding for teams and players.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya (PTI)
In a landmark move, esports has been added to the list of sports eligible for cash incentives for medal winners from world and continental championships. Included in the Sports Ministry’s list of 51 sports, this recognition not only affirms esports as a legitimate sport in India but also signals a major shift in public perception.
This development follows the inclusion of esports as an official medal sport at the Asian Games in 2023, where India competed in four titles: League of Legends, DOTA 2, Street Fighter V, and EAFC. With esports set to make its debut in the Olympics in 2025, during the inaugural Olympics Esports Games, this inclusion further solidifies its status in India, placing it on par with traditional sports.
The Government of India has consistently shown its commitment to video gaming esports. In a recent speech in the Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi further emphasised the importance of gaming, encouraging India’s youth to strive to make the country the global capital of creative gaming. This national support adds to the optimism surrounding esports’ future in India.
“Esports being made eligible for cash incentives is a small but significant step toward its recognition as a mainstream sport. At NODWIN Gaming, we have long advocated that esports and traditional sports share fundamental elements – hand-eye coordination, reflexes, strategic thinking, multi-tasking, and mental resilience. Just like cricket or football, esports demands rigorous training, discipline, communication and teamwork, fueled by a passionate fan base. As technology continues to shape competitive landscapes, the parallels between sports and esports will only grow stronger, further uniting players and audiences worldwide,” states Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and Managing Director of NODWIN Gaming.
Echoing similar sentiments, Animesh Agarwal, Co-founder, S8UL Esports says, “The inclusion of esports in the sports ministry’s cash incentive program marks a significant milestone for our industry. This move not only validates the dedication of our players but also unlocks new opportunities for growth, investment, and talent development. The future of competitive gaming in India just got a whole lot brighter.”
One challenge esports in India has faced is the frequent disbanding of teams after major tournaments, making it difficult for players to sustain long-term careers. Vishal Parekh, Chief Operating Officer of CyberPowerPC India highlights that this move can help address that by encouraging team cohesion, cultivating a more sustainable esports culture, and fostering a stable competitive environment.
“More than just the cash rewards, the bigger achievement for the industry is esports being consistently categorised alongside traditional sports. This recognition not only reassures aspiring gamers, parents, and stakeholders that esports is backed by the government as a competitive discipline but also paves the way for structured career paths and long-term professional opportunities,” adds Vishal Parekh.
A key part of the development of esports as a professional career is the role of coaches. The new policy not only rewards athletes but also ensures that coaches receive recognition for their vital contributions to the success of players. According to the policy, the grassroots-level coach, who initially identifies and grooms the talent, will receive 30% of the total cash incentive. Developmental-level coaches, who further nurture and develop medal-winning sportspersons, will also receive 30%, while the elite-level coach, who provides advanced training, will be awarded the larger share of 40%.
“By extending rewards to both athletes and their coaches, this move paves the way for the emergence of professional coaching in esports, unlocking long-term career opportunities. The growth of esports and gaming will also have positive spillover effects on related sectors such as game development, digital design, software engineering, and content creation. This not only strengthens the esports ecosystem but also opens up new avenues for innovation, benefiting both established companies and startups like ours, and driving further growth across the industry,” notes Mikhail Bhuta, Co-Founder & Tech Lead of Dirtcube Interactive LLP, which recently launched Specter, India’s first-of-its-kind backend platform.
As esports continues to gain legitimacy, India is poised for a bright future in competitive gaming. With the ongoing support from the government, India’s esports sector is set to reach new heights and achieve success on the international stage.
