eSports
15th World Esports Championships: Indian Female CS:GO Team gears up to make Historic Debut at Asian qualifiers in Riyadh
India’s all-female CS:GO team is all set to make its mark on the international stage as the squad sets its sights on securing a berth for the 15th World Esports Championships (WEC) by going head-to-head against notable teams from the continent at the Asian qualifiers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from July 15 to 17.
Led by captain Swayambika Sachar (Sway), the star-studded team comprising Nidhi Salekar (Stormyy), Shagufta Iqbal (Xyaa), Dilraj Kaur Matharu (COCO), and Aastha Nangia (Crackshot) will face off against Kyrgyzstan and Saudi Arabia on the first day, followed by matches against Hong Kong China and Australia on the second day.
The group stage matches will be played in the best-of-one format with the semi-finals and grand finals being contested in the best-of-three format. Only two of the five teams will qualify for the 15th WEC with the champions being rewarded with $7000 in prize money. The second and third-placed teams will each be awarded $3,500 and $2,000 respectively.
Expressing her excitement and confidence, team captain Swayambika Sachar commented, “As the first all-female CS:GO team from India to reach this stage, we are proud to represent our country in the Asian qualifiers. We have practiced tirelessly and worked on improving our gameplay and we are ready to compete against the best. Along with qualifying for the 15th WEC, our goal is also to inspire more women to pursue their passion for gaming and Esports. We are grateful to the ESFI for all their support, coaching & enabling the female Esports athletes’ participation at the international stage, and will give our absolute best to make our country proud.”
By emerging victorious in the National Esports Championships (NESC) 2023, organized by the Esports Federation of India (ESFI) earlier this year the team outclassed Sri Lanka in the South Asian qualifiers to secure their spot in the Asian Qualifiers.
“We are incredibly proud of our female CS:GO team as they prepare for their historic journey in the Asian qualifiers. Their participation is a testament to the rise of women in Indian Esports. We believe in their potential to emerge victorious on the international stage and are also sure that the team’s progress will inspire more women to follow their dreams of a professional career in video gaming. We extend our best wishes to the team in their pursuit of securing a spot for the grand finals in Romania,” said Mr. Vinod Tiwari, President, Esports Federation of India.
One of the country’s top sports & Esports communication agencies, Artsmith-Concepts & Visions, will continue its support to the Esports Federation of India as their official communication partner along with Hama, FITGMR, Mandeha, Upthrust & Inox as Training, Coaching, Psychology, Execution & Multiplex Partners.
In spite of their best efforts, the Indian DOTA 2 team bowed out of the Asian qualifiers by suffering hard-fought defeats against Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, and the Philippines. Meanwhile, the nation’s male CS:GO team commenced with their qualifiers on Thursday.
The country’s well-renowned Tekken 7 professional Abhinav Tejan and eFootball athlete Ibrahim Gulrez have already secured their qualification at the 15th WEC that has a whopping prize pool of $500,000 (INR 4.12 crore) and is set to be the largest edition of the tournament to date with at least 130 countries participating in eFootball, DOTA 2, Tekken7, Mobile Legends, PUBG: Mobile and CS:GO.
Asia
VSPO, the largest esports company in Asia, rebranded Hero Esports to support global growth strategy
VSPO, the largest esports company in Asia, is pleased to announce that it has officially been rebranded Hero Esports, aligning with its domestic brand and, in doing so, supporting its international growth strategy.
The company announced its intention to rebrand alongside the appointment of Dino Ying as Executive Chairman and Danny Tang as CEO on 8 October 2024.
The unveiling of Hero Esports marks a pivotal moment in the company’s history. For nearly a decade, the business has been the leading esports tournament operator and content creator, investing in and shaping the industry to drive innovation and excellence. Most recently in September 2024, the company launched the Esports Asian Champions League (ACL), which is Asia’s premier international, multi-title esports tournament. As a key figure in the esports industry, Executive Chairman Dino Ying will play a vital role in growing the ACL alongside working closely with international governing bodies, including the International Olympic Committee and the Esports World Cup Federation, to elevate the industry more broadly. The global esports market is projected to grow from $54 billion in 2023 to $98 billion by 2028, according to a report by Frost & Sullivan.
The company’s new brand is supported by a refreshed Mission, Vision and set of Values to help employees of Hero Esports work towards common goals and ensure quality throughout the business. Hero Esports’ mission is to ‘Empower esports’, supported by its vision to ‘create the premier esports experience of the future’. Hero Esports’ values, which are based on inclusion, diversity, transparency and a passion for esports, have provided a strong foundation for the company’s continued expansion.
Danny Tang, CEO of Hero Esports, said: “Today marks a significant milestone for Hero Esports as we continue our growth trajectory to become a leading international esports organization, driven by a clear mission, vision and set of values. Hero Esports is well positioned to identify and develop new opportunities both domestically and internationally, and we look forward to aligning our expansion with an equally fast-growing esports industry.”
eSports
Hilton Riyadh Hotel & Residences Named Official Main Partner for World Esports Championship 2024
The International Esports Federation (IESF) is pleased to announce the Hilton Riyadh Hotel & Residences as the official main partner for the upcoming World Esports Championship 2024 in Riyadh, which begins on November 11.
This partnership unites Hilton Riyadh Hotel & Residences’ reputation with one of the most significant international Esports events, ensuring every participant has a world-class experience throughout their stay.
With over 480 athletes and teams from across the world, WEC24 will host competitors as honored guests of Hilton Riyadh Hotel & Residences, ensuring they have an exceptional environment to compete at their best and aim for the prestigious title of World Esports Champion.
“It’s exciting to work alongside a brand that deeply values our vision and understands the importance of a memorable experience for all of our athletes and participants. Together, we’re setting a new standard for Esports events and creating an unforgettable journey for everyone attending.” – said Ana Karakolevska, Chief Marketing Officer at IESF.
“At Hilton Riyadh Hotel and Residences, we are proud to be the main partner of the World Esports Championship 2024 in Riyadh. Our commitment to excellence aligns perfectly with this prestigious event, where we aim to provide every participant with a world-class experience that goes beyond expectations.
By partnering with the International Esports Federation, we are setting a new standard for Esports events, ensuring that WEC24 will be an unforgettable journey for all attendees. Join us as we elevate Esports and create moments that will be cherished for a lifetime.” – said Hans Schiller, General Manager at Hilton Riyadh Hotel and Residences.
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to elevating Esports and enhancing each attendee’s experience. Both IESF and Hilton Riyadh Hotel & Residences share the goal of making WEC24 one of the best Esports events to date, with the highest standard of care and support for athletes and fans alike.
Asia
8Bit Creatives partners with NODWIN Gaming as the exclusive talent partner for DreamHack India
8Bit Creatives, India’s leading esports consulting and talent management agency, has announced its partnership with NODWIN Gaming, a leader in new-age youth entertainment, gaming, and esports, as the exclusive Talent Partner for DreamHack India 2024.
With this partnership, 8Bit Creatives will leverage its significant reach in the Indian gaming, esports and youth communities through its prominent and talented roster of creators. These creators will create content leading up to the festival and also host meet-and-greet sessions.
India’s biggest gaming festival, DreamHack India, is set to take place from 15th to 17th November at the Hitex Exhibition Centre in Hyderabad, marking its fifth edition. For half a decade, the India edition of the global festival has become one of the most anticipated events of the Indian gaming ecosystem. Bringing together a plethora of events, including esports tournaments, BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) events, cosplay competitions, music concerts, and stand-up comedy, DreamHack India is the celebration of gaming, esports, pop-culture, and entertainment.
8Bit Creatives, CEO and founder Animesh Agarwal said “DreamHack India is one of the most prominent events in the Indian gaming and esports calendar and we’re proud to be the exclusive talent partners for it. This is further recognition of 8Bit Creatives’ ability to meaningfully engage the gaming and youth audiences across the country. Our belief in working with the right creators who create experiences that resonate with the youth audiences distinguishes our offerings and we can’t wait to share what we have in store for DreamHack India 2024 with our audiences!”
This is not the first time that 8Bit Creatives will partner with DreamHack India. The organisation was also the talent partner for the event in 2022.
Commenting on the partnership, NODWIN Gaming, Co-founder and MD Akshat Rathee said “Our vision at NODWIN Gaming is to create unforgettable experiences for the youth, and DreamHack has proven to be the ultimate platform to realise that vision, bringing together gaming, entertainment, and community in an immersive celebration. We’re thrilled to have 8Bit Creatives as our exclusive Talent Partner for DreamHack India 2024. It’s especially exciting to welcome iconic creators like Mortal, who joined us in our very first edition, back for this landmark fifth year, alongside fan favourites like Snax, Kaashvi, Thug, and Payal. These creators bring a unique energy that connects deeply with our fans and elevates every moment. Their presence underscores our commitment to crafting electrifying experiences year after year, building on the momentum of events like BGMS and past DreamHack editions. Together with 8Bit and this powerhouse lineup, we’re setting the stage for an unforgettable event that will bring fans and creators closer than ever before!”
8Bit Creatives’s content and esports division S8UL became the only organisation in the year to win ‘Content Group of the Year’ award for the third consecutive year at the Esports Awards 2024. Additionally, they are the only organisation from India to ever win an Esports Award in any category. Earlier this year, gaming content creators from 8Bit Creatives including Naman Mathur, Payal Dhare and Animesh “Thug” Agarwal were invited for a meet and greet session with the honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
The organisation has been at the forefront of India’s gaming and content ecosystem with its extensive range of services, including talent management, campaign curation and execution, brand activations and more.
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