Asia

Meet India’s Esports Athletes who are winning Laurels for the country

Published

5 years ago

February 8, 2021

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Gone are the days when youngsters were told off by their folks for wasting hours e-gaming before a console, PC or mobile. Today, with increasing smartphone penetration and digitization across India, the tables have turned and esports has become a much vide-for profession for both the urban and rural youth. And why not? Because they are not only earning money and fame but also winning laurels for India.
Esports Federation of India has in a way, been partly responsible for the shift in how the Indian youth perceives esports as a profession. The federation pioneered the competitive esports gaming format in India by organising national tournaments such as Nations Cup, National Esports Championship (NESC) and as recently ESFI Ranking Scrims etc. These large-scale platforms have given gamers and streamers an opportunity to showcase their skills and compete domestically and create a name for themselves nationally as well as internationally making a mark while ESFI athletes have been competing in South Asia & upcoming World Championships.
Nothing beats the experience of the Indian tri-colour going up during any medal ceremony. Here are India’s top four esports heroes that are setting the bar high and aspiring many more youngsters to take up esports professionally:

Tirth Mehta (Bronze medal winner in Asian Games 2018)
Esports Title – Hearthstone

Tirth Mehta, a 26-year-old lad from the sleepy town of Bhuj in Gujarat’s Kutch district who won the bronze medal in Hearthstone — a popular online digital collectible card game — at the Esports demonstration event at the 2018 Asian Games.

Hearthstone, developed and published by American video game Company, Blizzard Entertainment, has garnered huge interest among online gamers from across Asia, including Japan, Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, besides India. The game is a combination of chess and poker, requiring players to have core skills in maths and probability.

The hours Tirth spend depend on whether or not there was an upcoming major tournament. If there isn’t, he usually spend a couple hours a day if there is, he spends between 5 hours to 14 hours a day playing.

Karan Manganani (Placed 4th in Asian Games 2018)
Esports Title – Clash Royale

Karan “jin kazama” Manganani is undoubtedly the best Clash Royale player in India. Karan Manganani, 20, like many other Indians of his generation, plays a lot of video games. He spends five hours a day on average, on his smartphone playing Clash Royale, a chess-like strategy game. Manganani has an easier time explaining his gaming habit to his parents, unlike most others his age, though. His ability to win virtual wars could potentially one day earn India gold at the Olympics.

List of Achievements 2018-20 Clash Royale: –

1. CRL Combine Phase 1 Rank 1
2. CRL Combine Main Event Rank Top 10(Los Angeles)
3. Asian Games 2018 National Champion (2018)
4. Asian Games 2018 Regional Champion (South Asia)
5. Asian Games 2018 Rank 4(All Over Asia)
6. Esl India Premiership 2018-19 Winter Season Champion
7. MGL World Cup Clash Royale 2018(India MVP)
8. World Royale League Clash Royale 2018(India Captain)
9. ESL India Premiership 2019-20 Summer Season Champion
10. World Royale League 2019 Team India (MVP)

Moinuddin Amdani:
Esports Title – PES 2020

Moinuddin started playing in 2012. His love for football motivated him to take up this game. It was initially started as a fun-time hobby like any other gaming individual. His parents are concerned about his career and job security as not every individual turn out to be a successful professional esports player. However, he is yet to break the news about his ambition of getting into full-time video gaming and becoming an esports professional.

Not owning a PlayStation is the biggest challenge for this India No. 1. Even though he plays professionally, he still has to go to a cyber cafe to play the matches as he doesn’t own a machine. He though feels Esports in India is booming but we still have that mindset of playing is a waste of time.

Amdani is targeting nothing short of gold at the upcoming Esports World Championship in Eliat, Israel.

Achievements:
Two-time national champion
Runner up in PES 2017 tournament at IGX
Runner up at Nations Cup held in India
Represented India at the 2019 World Championship 2019
Represented India at E-Masters Asia

Abhinav Tejan
Esports Title – Tekken7

Tejan started playing Tekken when he was around 7-8 years old and used to go to an arcade shop close to his house where he started playing recreationally.

While he started off casually with his friends at the arcade just for fun but right after his graduation from school, he saw an advertisement for a Tekken 6 tournament and he decided to participate and soon good introduced to the Tekken community in India as well. He started joining tournaments since 2010 and during this time there weren’t many tournaments happening and the community was quite a small one. With no official rules and pretty much every tournament having a different rule set all the time and unprofessional attitude at times when prize money were halved or declined-pretty much affected the growth of the game and increasing the popularity of the game.

Tejan feels getting a sponsor in India for a game which is not that popular is really hard, he has been trying to get the sponsors attention for many years now by staying at the number 1 position in India in Tekken and even placing top 3 in the international tournament but he is still without sponsors and at times even if sponsors are there Visa availability becomes an issue.

Achievements:
Current national champion
1st position in Dreamhack Delhi 2018 and 2019
3rd position SEA Major TWT 2018
4th position IESF 2018 Kaohsiung
9th position EVO Japan 2020

These young guns have set the ball rolling to make esports in India the most coveted profession with every tournament won and make India proud on winning the medals at national and international championships.

2026 SPiCE South Asia Awards

QTech Games wins Innovation of the Year at the 2026 SPiCE South Asia Awards

Published

2 weeks ago

March 26, 2026

Wladimir P.

qtech-games-wins-innovation-of-the-year-at-the-2026-spice-south-asia-awards

QTech Games, the leading game aggregator for emerging markets, has been named Innovation of the Year 2026 at the prestigious SPiCE South Asia Awards, held at the iconic Shangri-La Colombo in Sri Lanka, overcoming strong regional competition.

The award celebrates the South Asian iGaming innovator that has demonstrated groundbreaking technological innovation, delivering tailored solutions over the past 12 months while excelling in user engagement and sustained growth.

QTech’s recognition follows the successful launch of QTech Hybrid, a platform that enables players to seamlessly transition between retail and digital gaming environments. The solution combines QTech Games’ AI-powered casino lobby, QTech Play, with a retail management system and a state-of-the-art Agent Management System (AMS), allowing operators to scale brick-and-mortar operations online. QTech Hybrid represents a next-generation omnichannel solution, bridging the gap between physical and digital casino experiences.

“We’re thrilled to be recognised for Innovation of the Year in South Asia,” said Philip Doftvik, CEO of QTech Games.
“This award reflects the collective effort of our team and our network of innovative suppliers. From QTech Hybrid to QTechLabs and our Value Added Services, we continue to deliver solutions that drive revenue and engagement for our partners worldwide.

“Being acknowledged for our innovation, market impact, and operational results validates our strategic direction. It underscores QTech’s commitment to setting the gold standard in emerging markets and shaping the future of online casino gaming across Asia and beyond.”

With this accolade, QTech Games reinforces its position as a pioneer in emerging market aggregation, demonstrating that innovative technology and omnichannel solutions are key to scaling operations and enhancing player experiences across the globe.

The post QTech Games wins Innovation of the Year at the 2026 SPiCE South Asia Awards appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Asia

GLI Becomes the First Company Accredited by PAGCOR to Test and Certify iGaming Platforms in the Philippines

Published

2 weeks ago

March 25, 2026

Wladimir P.

gli-becomes-the-first-company-accredited-by-pagcor-to-test-and-certify-igaming-platforms-in-the-philippines

Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) has been named an Independent Testing Laboratory (ITL) by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). GLI is the first gaming testing company to achieve the accreditation and is now authorised to test and certify iGaming platforms in the Philippines.

GLI will bring its global and unsurpassed expertise to the Philippines, helping to ensure PAGCOR meets its policy and regulatory objectives as set out in its rules. GLI’s presence and its GLI-19 Standard will also help suppliers who wish to successfully and compliantly enter the marketplace.

Submissions will be tested against “GLI Standard Series GLI-19: Standards for Interactive Gaming Systems,” which has been widely accepted and adopted by jurisdictions around the world.

PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco said: “Regulated gaming markets ensure a safer and more sustainable gaming industry for all to participate in. A regulated market enables compliance to responsible gaming standards and the provision of tax revenue for reinvestment back into the community. PAGCOR now requires all iGaming B2B suppliers operating in the Philippines to be accredited to ensure they comply to the rigorous requirements needed to protect iGaming players. We are pleased to acknowledge GLI as the first testing and game certification provider to be accredited in the Philippines under this new framework. GLI is a global leader in regulatory advisory, iGaming and EGM testing / certification, and data security.”

GLI President and CEO James R. Maida said: “We are grateful to PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco and to the entire PAGCOR team for the trust they continue to place in GLI. Under the Chairman’s skillful leadership, the market in the Philippines has improved steadily, and we are honored to be the first company to be accredited for iGaming testing and certification, and we look forward to working side- by-side with PAGCOR to meet their policy objectives.”

The post GLI Becomes the First Company Accredited by PAGCOR to Test and Certify iGaming Platforms in the Philippines appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Asia

Team India and Türkiye Win Gold at the Global Esports Games Mumbai

Published

2 weeks ago

March 25, 2026

Wladimir P.

team-india-and-turkiye-win-gold-at-the-global-esports-games-mumbai

Team India and Türkiye won Gold at the Global Esports Games Mumbai, delivering electrifying performances in front of a packed arena and thousands more tuning in online worldwide. India’s Anuhith Gosala edged Kazakhstan 3–2 in a thrilling Clash Royale Grand Final, while Türkiye secured a commanding 3–1 victory over Mongolia in the Dota 2 Grand Final. With a Gold in Clash Royale and a Bronze in Dota 2, Team India was crowned Overall Champion.

India stormed into the Clash Royale Grand Final with a 2–1 win over the USA in a tense lower bracket decider, setting up a rematch with Kazakhstan. Having fallen 0–2 in the upper bracket, India turned the tables when it mattered most, as Anuhith Gosala delivered a clutch performance to seal a dramatic 3–2 victory and the Gold medal.

In Dota 2, Team India secured Bronze after falling to Mongolia in the lower bracket. Mongolia advanced to the Grand Final, where Türkiye asserted its dominance with a composed 3–1 victory to take the title.

Sharing his thoughts on the victory, Team India’s Clash Royale gold medallist, Anuhith Gosala, said: “This moment is surreal. To win the Grand Finals here in India, in front of a home crowd, makes it even more emotional. The preparation was relentless, the pressure was intense, and every match tested my limits—but that’s what makes this victory so special. Hearing the cheers, feeling that energy, and lifting this title for the country is an indescribable pride. This is for India, and for everyone who believes in us. I hope this win inspires many others to follow in our path.”

Sir Paul J. Foster, President & CEO, Global Esports Federation, said: “As the Global Esports Games Mumbai comes to a close, we celebrate not only the incredible performances of our athletes, but the spirit of unity and connection that defines our global community. Mumbai has delivered exceptional energy, passion, and hospitality, reinforcing our belief that esports transcends borders and brings the world together. We are deeply grateful to our partners in India for setting a new benchmark for excellence—and we now look ahead with excitement to Los Angeles, where this journey continues on an even greater stage.”

Shripad Ashtekar, Founder of Eflag Corp, said: “Over the past few days, we have witnessed not just world-class competition, but the coming together of talent, innovation, and community on a truly global stage. We hope to keep delivering such platforms and strong foundations for future growth by unlocking new opportunities for Indian players, creators, and the broader AVGC ecosystem. We are proud to have played a key role and look forward to building on this momentum in the years ahead.”

Organized by the Global Esports Federation in partnership with Eflag Corp, with the support of Maharashtra Tourism, the Global Esports Games Mumbai was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis. Over four days, Mumbai welcomed 48 elite athletes from 19 countries, emerging from a global field of 78 nations in the Regional Qualifiers.

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