Putting up stellar performances, Revenant Esports emerged victorious in the LAN playoffs of the OMEN VALORANT Challengers South Asia Split 2, securing their spot at the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) Ascension: Pacific.

Organized by NODWIN Gaming, the leading South Asian gaming and esports company, in collaboration with Riot Games, the tournament’s playoffs witnessed fierce competition amongst Revenant Esports, Velocity Gaming, True Rippers, and Orangutan at the NODWIN Gaming Arena in Chattarpur.

Revenant Esports, featuring India’s top VALORANT players including in-game leader (IGL) Jayanth Ramesh (skillZ), Ganesh Gangadhar (SkRossi), Kasif Sayyed (Paradox), Prish Valvani (Tricky) alongside Kazakhstan’s Dastan Zhumagali (dos9) and Sultan Akbay (sultan), remained unbeaten throughout Split 2. After winning three straight games in the league stage, the team sustained their momentum in the LAN playoffs.

They defeated Orangutan 2-0 in the upper bracket semi-finals, followed by a 2-1 win over True Rippers in the upper bracket final. In the grand finale, Revenant Esports secured another decisive victory over True Rippers with a commanding 3-0 win. The LAN playoffs were contested in a double elimination bracket, with all matches played in a best-of-three format, except the lower bracket final and grand final, which were best-of-five.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the victory, Ganesh Gangadhar aka SkRossi of Revenant Esports stated, “Winning the OMEN VALORANT Challengers South Asia Split 2 is an incredible milestone for us at Revenant Esports. We faced numerous hurdles in Split 1, but those results only made us stronger and more determined to prove ourselves on the main stage again. Personally, returning to the South Asia circuit after competing internationally was a rollercoaster journey, but I have always believed in the potential of our region. This win reinforces that belief and motivates us to aim even higher. A huge shoutout to all our fans for their constant support. We promise to keep pushing our limits and make you proud at VCT Ascension.”

OMEN VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2024 boasted an overall prize pool of $130,000 (approx. INR 1 crore) across Split 1 and Split 2. The total prize pool of Split 1 was $66,000 (approx INR 55.11 lakhs) distributed evenly across Cup 1 and Cup 2.

In Split 2, Revenant Esports took home $ 20,000 (approx. INR 16.68 lakhs) from the overall $ 64,000 (approx. INR 55 lakhs) prize pool while fellow finalists True Rippers secured $12,500 (INR 10 lakhs). Velocity Gaming were awarded with $10,000 (approx. INR 8.34 lakhs), and Orangutan received $7,000 (approx. INR 5.84 lakhs). OMEN by HP was the tournament’s title partner and Philips was the styling partner.

“Congratulations to Revenant Esports for demonstrating their prowess against the top teams in the region. Through OMEN VALORANT Challengers South Asia, NODWIN Gaming and Riot Games have dedicated themselves to establishing a sustainable ecosystem for the title, providing a platform for the nation’s best talent to shine. The invaluable support from our partners and the overwhelming response from fans, has made this event truly unforgettable. We are proud to have played a role in elevating the VALORANT esports scene in the region and look forward to Revenant Esports representing South Asia on the global stage,” said Gautam Virk, Co-Founder and CEO of NODWIN Gaming.

The dual split format of the OMEN VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2024, initiated earlier this year by NODWIN Gaming and Riot Games, has been instrumental in showcasing the skills of South Asian teams and players. The tournament saw an impressive online viewership of 8 million across Split 1 and 2, recording a total footfall of 30,000.

“The OMEN VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2024 has been an incredible journey. The intense competition and high level of gameplay we have witnessed has been truly inspiring for the viewers as well as the next generation of esports athletes. We are excited to see Revenant Esports take on the best teams from across APAC at the VCT Ascension Pacific and wish them the very best. We look forward to continuing our support for the region’s growing esports ecosystem,” commented Sukamal Pegu, Esports Lead, India & South Asia, Riot Games.

As the sole Indian representative, Revenant Esports will compete against nine other leading teams from the continent at the VCT Ascension: Pacific which is set to take place in Tokyo, Japan, this September. The winner will secure a coveted spot in the Pacific League 2025.

Fun88, a leading company in sports and entertainment, has announced its official title sponsorship with the Vizag Warriors for the Andhra Premier League (APL).

The partnership shows Fun88’s ongoing support for regional cricket leagues in India. By supporting the Vizag Warriors and the APL, Fun88 strengthens the future of Indian cricket. Fun88’s dedication to enhancing sporting experiences aligns well with the Vizag Warriors’ goals for success.

Dr. Narendra Ram, co-owner of the Vizag Warriors team and founder of Lifespan Pvt Ltd, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Fun88 News as the official title sponsor of the Vizag Warriors. This partnership is a testament to our commitment to delivering an exceptional experience for our fans and aligns with our vision to support the growth of cricket in the region.”

The Andhra Premier League, recognised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has been key in encouraging cricket in Andhra Pradesh since its beginning in 2022 by the Andhra Cricket Association. The Andhra Premier League (APL) 2024, is currently underway. This year’s tournament, featuring six teams, kicked off on Sunday, June 30, and is scheduled to conclude on Saturday, July 13. The Vizag Warriors, co-owned by Lifespan Pvt Ltd, is a strong team in the Andhra Premier League. They are known for their competitive spirit and dedication to cricket.

As the Andhra Premier League continues, the support from Fun88 is expected to provide a significant boost, enhancing the Vizag Warriors’ resources and capabilities. Both organisations are enthusiastic about the opportunities this partnership brings, promising fans an exciting and competitive season ahead.

Inaugural Esports World Cup is a global celebration of competitive excellence and esports fandom,  with a record-breaking prize pool of over $60 million (500 Cr.)

Star Sports Network and the Esports World Cup Foundation (“EWCF”) today announced the acquisition of broadcasting rights for the Esports World Cup (“EWC”) 2024. The tournament, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from July 3rd to August 25th, will unite the global gaming communities and deliver premier competition in a unique format at an unprecedented scale. Over eight weeks, the EWC will feature the world’s top Esports clubs competing in 21 of the most popular game titles, making it the largest multi-game Esports tournament ever. As the official broadcaster, Star Sports is set to deliver comprehensive coverage of the tournament, offering viewers and fans an unparalleled Esports experience with in-depth commentary in English and Hindi. The Esports World Cup will be streamed on Star Sports’ YouTube channel and broadcast on linear TV via Star Sports First and Star Sports 2.

In 2022, BGMI Masters became the first Esports franchise to be broadcast in India by the Star Sports Network, drawing in millions of viewers over its linear television debut. Highlighting the immense popularity of the online multiplayer battle royale game, Star Sports has been instrumental in bringing esports to the mainstream Indian gaming audience.

Vikram Passi, Head Marketing – Sports, Disney Star, stated, “Esports is rapidly emerging as a significant force, fuelled by India’s burgeoning gaming culture and its recognition on the global stage. The BGMI Masters’ Series, in just a few seasons, has firmly established itself as a premier tournament in India, demonstrating the immense potential for world-class Esports competitions. With the upcoming Esports World Cup broadcast, we aim to expand our audience base, energize the gaming community, and foster greater acceptance of Esports among non-gamers. This event will not only captivate dedicated Esports enthusiasts but also engage a younger demographic across our platforms, driving a broader appreciation for the competitive gaming landscape.”

Ralf Reichert, CEO Esports World Cup Foundation, said “Our partnership with Star Sports brings the Esports World Cup to India’s massive and passionate gaming audience. Having witnessed this firsthand, I’m thrilled to nurture India’s growing esports scene and inspire future champions. With the world’s best competing in Riyadh, we hope to spark a new wave of esports fandom in India, and maybe even see an Indian team claim victory.”

The EWC will offer the largest prize pool in esports and feature the most popular esports titles across all major gaming genres. It will welcome a new cross-game competition format, awarding prizes for individual game titles and club performances. This will be a first ever Esports World Cup with a prize pool of more than $60 million (INR 500 crore)

The eight games to be broadcasted on Star Sports Network are Call of Duty: Warzone, Dota 2, Counter-Strike 2, Overwatch 2, Apex Legends, Fortnite, EA Sports FC 24, and PUBG Battlegrounds     .

Specific highlights include:

• Opening Broadcast: Week 1 July 3rd at 10 PM on SS First and SS YT Channel with Call of Duty: Warzone in Hindi.
• Weekly Schedule: From Week 3, starting July 18, EWC will be broadcast at 9 PM on SS2 and SS First along with SS YT Channel
• Hindi Commentary: Call of Duty: Warzone (Week 1) and Counter-Strike 2 (Week 3) will be shown with Hindi commentary on SS First along with and SS YT Channel

The Esports World Cup broadcast on the Star Sports Network will further solidify esports as one of the fastest-growing sports in India, bringing the best of global esports action to India. The Esports World Cup Foundation is pleased to share Star Sports’ vision in bringing esports to a broader audience as they continue to pave the way for the future of competitive gaming in India