CHENNAI: While the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is all set to send 524 athletes and confirmed its participation in 36 sports at the Asian Games 2018 in Jakarta this August, it is expected to take a decision on India’s eSports squad within a few days, New Indian Express reports.
eSports or electronic sports is the digital form of sport and gaming, in which video games are played at a competitive level. Although the Asian Games will not reward players and countries with medals in eSports, it will still be a part of the tournament as a demonstration event.
In a recent Asian Electronics Sports Federation competition in South Asia, 10 Indians had qualified across four out of the six games for which it was held, namely Pro Evolution Soccer, Hearthstone, Clash Royale and Arena of Valor. India had competed with the likes of Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal, Maldives and Bhutan.
Lokesh Suji, director of eSports Federation of India, is hopeful that the IOA will approve India’s participation in the sport this year.
“We are in talks with the IOA. Travel and everything is covered, so the IOA need not fund them. For a demonstration sport, the responsibility lies with the Asian eSports Federation. The IOA is expected to rule on it in a few days,” Suji told the daily.
The Indian contingent selected to potentially participate in the Asian Games 2018:
Pro Evolution Soccer: Navaneetha Anand, Ankur Diwakar.
Hearthstone: Tirth Mehta.
Clash Royale: Karun Manganani.
Arena of Valor: Tanmay Kumar, Abhineel Bajoria, Giridhar K Sajeev, Ahamed Junaid, Harsh Maan, Vishwajeet Singh Tomar.
