Morung Express News
Kohima/Dimapur | December 7
Attempting to tap into the burgeoning global e-sports industry, the 1st Hornbill Esports Championship 2024 commenced today at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima as part of the 25th Hornbill Festival celebrations. The event was officially declared open by Anthony Ngullie, Secretary, Department of Youth Resources & Sports, Nagaland.
The global esports industry is projected to exceed $1.8 billion in revenue by 2025, with a rapidly growing audience of over 640 million enthusiasts worldwide. In India, the esports market is expected to grow at a 46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), surpassing Rs 11 billion by 2025, driven by an increase in gaming infrastructure, tournaments, and a tech-savvy youth demographic.
Organized by the Department of Youth Resources & Sports in collaboration with LVL UP Consultancy, the championship has brought together gaming enthusiasts from across the country to compete in three esports categories: Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), DOTA 2, and FC24 (FIFA).
A total of 16 teams are competing in BGMI, 5 teams in DOTA 2, and 32 individual players in FIFA. The championship has generated widespread excitement, signaling Nagaland’s entry into the booming esports arena and its commitment to empowering the youth.
Addressing the participants and attendees, Kethosituo Sekhose, Director of Youth Resources & Sports, underscored the importance of aligning with the technological revolution reshaping sports. “With the advent of computers and technology, we have seen a sea change in the way people live their lives. Sports today are no longer just physical but also a mental game,” he remarked.
He further noted that the Nagaland government is determined to establish esports as a core component of its youth engagement strategy. “This is a small step, but a significant one for our people. In the days to come, we aim to expand this championship to feature 10 to 20 different esports disciplines,” Sekhose said.
Highlighting the international significance of esports, Sekhose pointed out the upcoming Esports Olympics 2025 in Saudi Arabia. “We want to prepare ourselves for that, and this championship is a step in that direction,” he added.
The Hornbill Esports Championship is seen as a strategic initiative, with esports creating career opportunities in gaming, content creation, and development.
The championship is envisioned as an annual feature, drawing national and international participants to showcase their talent while also contributing to the state’s digital economy.
Prize Money and Incentives
The championship offers cash prizes for winners across the three categories:
BGMI: Total prize pool of Rs 3.50 lakh, with Rs 1.20 lakh for the champion.
DOTA 2: Total prize pool of Rs 2 lakh, with Rs 1 lakh for the champion.
FC24: Total prize pool of Rs 50,000, with Rs 25,000 for the champion.
An additional incentive of Rs 5000 will be awarded to the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in BGMI.
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