NEW DELHI: India’s first-ever franchise-based Esports league, the Esports Premier League (ESPL) has finalised the top eight teams as the ultimate face off in the inaugural edition of the nation-wide Esports league began Monday, August 16.
State ministers from seven regions launched their respective franchise team names, logos, and jerseys.
While the Esports industry has been in quest to gain legitimacy and recognition from the government, involvement and acceptance from the government at this level to the tournament is a giant stride for Esports industry in India.
“To have the best gamers from across the country representing final eight franchise teams as well as their team’s official jersey being unveiled by the state ministers is a matter of absolute honor and pride. Even in its inaugural edition, ESPL has received exceptional response from the Esports community, the players and the audience,” said Vishwalok Nath, director, ESPL.
The final eight franchises teams and the players were chosen through a draft process. And the teams that are qualified through various stages of the competition for the draft process include BADGE99, Total Gaming, 4 UNKNOWN, TSM FTX, No Chance, AFF Esports, Head Hunters, and TWO SIDE GAMERS. Each of these teams were picked to represent a city team and in the final stage during the draft, popular influencers and Esports gamers were roped in to conduct the process.
The eight franchise teams are Punjab Paladins, Chennai Celestials, Delhi Dukes, Hyderabad Hydras, Kolkata Kaijus, Rajasthan Reapers, Mumbai Marshals, and Bangalore Ballistics.
Ministers and personalities who unveiled teams representing their respective states:
1. V Srinivas Goud
Minister of Sports & Youth Services
Govt. Of Telangana
2. Sunil Chhatrapal Kedar
Minister of Sports and Youth Welfare
Govt. of Maharashtra
3. Mr. Manish Sisodia
Deputy Chief Minister
Govt. of Delhi
4. Manoj Tiwary
Minister of Department of Youth Services and Sports
Govt. Of West Bengal
5. KC Narayana Gowda
Minister of Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports Department of Planning
Govt. of Karnataka
6. Ashok Chandna
Minister of Sports & Youth Affairs (Independent charge)
Govt. of Rajasthan
7. Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi
Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs
Govt. of Punjab
8. RJ Balaji
Radio jockey, director, sports broadcaster, and writer based out of Chennai
