Mumbai: In a landmark move for India’s esports industry, the Sports Ministry has added esports to the list of 51 sports eligible for cash incentives for medal winners from world and continental championships. This recognition, following esports’ debut as an official medal sport at the 2023 Asian Games and its upcoming inclusion in the inaugural Olympic Esports Games in 2025, signals a major shift in public perception and government support for competitive gaming.
Industry stakeholders have lauded this development, calling it a significant step toward esports being recognized as a mainstream sport.
Validation and Growth Opportunities for the Industry
Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and MD of NODWIN Gaming, emphasized the strong parallels between esports and traditional sports. “Esports being made eligible for cash incentives is a small but significant step toward its recognition as a mainstream sport. Just like cricket or football, esports demands rigorous training, discipline, communication, and teamwork, fuelled by a passionate fan base. As technology continues to shape competitive landscapes, the parallels between sports and esports will only grow stronger, further uniting players and audiences worldwide.”
Animesh Agarwal, Co-founder of S8UL Esports, sees this as a turning point for the industry. “The inclusion of esports in the Sports Ministry’s cash incentive program marks a significant milestone for our industry. This move not only validates the dedication of our players but also unlocks new opportunities for growth, investment, and talent development. The future of competitive gaming in India just got a whole lot brighter.”
Strengthening the Ecosystem and Career Pathways
Beyond financial incentives, industry leaders see this as a step toward making esports a sustainable career choice in India. Vishal Parekh, Chief Operating Officer of CyberPowerPC India, highlighted how this move fosters stability. “The bigger achievement for the industry is esports being consistently categorized alongside traditional sports. This recognition not only reassures aspiring gamers, parents, and stakeholders that esports is backed by the government as a competitive discipline but also paves the way for structured career paths and long-term professional opportunities. One of the challenges in India’s esports ecosystem has been teams disbanding after major tournaments. This move will help address that by encouraging team cohesion and cultivating a more sustainable esports culture.”
Mikhail Bhuta, Co-Founder and Tech Lead at Dirtcube Interactive LLP, sees long-term benefits across industries. “By extending rewards to both athletes and their coaches, it paves the way for the emergence of professional coaching in esports, unlocking long-term career opportunities. The growth of esports and gaming will also have positive spillover effects on related sectors such as game development, digital design, software engineering, and content creation. This strengthens the esports ecosystem and opens new avenues for innovation, benefiting both established companies and startups like ours.”
Industry Expansion and Brand Interest
Siddharth Nayyar, Chief Revenue Officer at Max Level, believes this move will accelerate esports’ transformation into a mainstream industry. “The inclusion of esports in the Sports Ministry’s cash incentive program is not just a boost for players but a significant milestone for the entire esports industry. This move reinforces esports as a structured, high-growth sector, attracting further investment, brand partnerships, and institutional support. With a rapidly expanding audience and an engaged community, esports is evolving into a mainstream entertainment and sporting industry. At Max Level, we’ve seen firsthand how brands are increasingly recognizing the value of esports, and this decision will further accelerate industry growth by making esports a more credible and lucrative space for players, organizations, and sponsors alike.”
The Sports Ministry’s decision not only acknowledges esports as a legitimate competitive discipline but also provides a much-needed boost to its ecosystem. With financial incentives, government backing, and increasing industry investment, Indian esports is on a trajectory toward greater recognition, sustainability, and global competitiveness. As more players aspire to represent the country on international stages, the nation’s esports scene is poised to scale new heights in the coming years.
