Asia
Skillhub Online Games Federation Launches SOG Grandmasters Series, Targets Discovery of 1 Lakh Gaming Talents Nationwide
To champion the cause of skill-based mind sports and to bring competitive structure to the online gaming industry in India, the Skillhub Online Games (SOG) Federation has launched the first edition of the SOG Grandmasters Series, a Championship that aims to spotlight the exceptional cognitive talents of players nationwide, featuring a diverse range of traditional skill based mind sports depicting the socio-cultural landscape of India, for centuries.
By celebrating and supporting India’s skilled online gamers, the SOG Federation is committed to fostering a vibrant and competitive environment in the rapidly evolving gaming sector. In tandem with this launch, the SOG Federation has tied up with the International Mind Sports Association marking a significant step toward elevating the status of skill-based mind sports on the global stage. By partnering with the IMSA, the Federation aligns itself with a prestigious network of international organisations dedicated to promoting mental sportsmanship and competitive excellence.
“The SOG Grandmasters series marks a pivotal moment in our mission to elevate skill-based mind sports in India. By providing a premier platform for talented players, we aim to foster a culture of excellence, competitiveness, and integrity in the gaming community. Our strategic partnership with the International Mind Sports Association ensures that we also adhere to global standards, paving the way for sustainable growth and recognition of skill games as legitimate mind sports in India. We are committed to shaping a vibrant ecosystem that empowers players and enriches the gaming landscape in India,” said Mr Shankar Agarwal, President, Skillhub Online Games Federation.
The Federation aims to set the field in skill-based mind sports, unearth exceptional talent, and nurture players who can represent India on global stages across multiple skill-based mind sports. As such, this initiative underlines its commitment to fairness, collaboration, and the steady long-term growth of skilled online gaming in India.
“We see the inaugural SOG Grandmasters series as a pivotal step in harnessing India’s talent in skill-based gaming, building a strong platform for the future. With India’s deep talent in chess, rummy, and beyond, we are excited to see how this initiative will elevate players and position the country as a global leader in this space,” said Geoffrey Borg, CEO, the International Mind
Sports Association, which also has global sports organisations like FIDE (Chess), International Esports Federation (IESF), Bridge, and Federation of Card Games as some of their key members.
For its inaugural event, the SOG Federation will host three skill-based mind sports which require strategic, cognitive, and decision-making aptitudes to excel: the Indian Chess Masters (ICM), Indian Chess Masters for Blind (ICMB) and Indian Rummy Grandmasters (IRG). After online qualifiers, “phygital” zonals–blending physical with digital–will begin, starting with the South Zone on December 18-19 in Bengaluru, followed by other regions.
To conclude the inaugural SOG Grandmasters, two zonal finalists from chess, two from blind chess and six from rummy will compete in the Nationals in early March 2025 in Delhi for their respective titles and a consolidated prize pool of more than INR 2 crore.
With this initiative, SOG Federation is setting a foundation for the long-term development of skill-based mind sports in India. Through its structured tournaments, the Federation will identify, support, and provide training opportunities to the champions, enabling them to represent India internationally. Furthermore, It will enable players to compete for pride and be crowned as the Master (Chess, Blind Chess) and Grandmaster (Rummy) of India.
The post Skillhub Online Games Federation Launches SOG Grandmasters Series, Targets Discovery of 1 Lakh Gaming Talents Nationwide appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
JETSYNTHESYS WELCOMES GOPAL SRINIVASAN, MADHUSUDANAN R, AND ARJUN SANTHANAKRISHNAN AS CHENNAI FRANCHISE OWNERS FOR GLOBAL E-CRICKET PREMIER LEAGUE SEASON 2
JetSynthesys, a global leader in digital entertainment and technology, announces the addition of prominent industry leaders including Gopal Srinivasan, Chairman of TVS Capital Funds Limited, Madhusudanan R, Co-founder of M2P Fintech and Arjun Santhanakrishnan, Group CEO of GS Global as the team owners for the Chennai franchise in the second season of its popular IP, Global e-Cricket Premier League (GEPL).
Gopal Srinivasan, Madhusudanan R and Arjun Santhanakrishnan bring a wealth of expertise to GEPL’s growing ecosystem. Their acquisition of the Chennai franchise sheds light on the city’s deep-rooted connection to cricket, a sport that goes beyond entertainment to serve as a cornerstone of Chennai’s cultural identity. Their leadership and vision, coupled with their passion for innovation, will be instrumental in shaping the future of cricket esports in India and beyond.
The Global Esports Premier League (GEPL), hosted on the mobile app Real Cricket, JetSynthesys’ category-defining cricket video game, delivers the most authentic, immersive, and feature-rich cricket simulation experience for mobile users. Last year’s tournament attracted over 200,000 registrations and culminated in a rigorous selection process that identified the top 64 players who formed eight teams. The action-packed finale saw these eight teams play-off each other in and compete for global esports glory. With cumulative multiplatform reach of 70mn+, GEPL S1 was also streamed on JioCinema and witnessed a significant viewership of over 1.1mn+ mins.
Mr. Rajan Navani, CEO and founder, JetSynthesys, expressed his enthusiasm about these developments, “We are incredibly excited to have Gopal Srinivasan, Madhusudanan R and Arjun Santhanakrishnan join as the team owners of Chennai franchise. Their combined experience brings a fresh perspective that aligns perfectly with our vision to push the boundaries of cricket esports globally. Their involvement strengthens our resolve to not just grow GEPL, but to create an entire ecosystem where gaming, technology, and cricket intersect to inspire a new generation of gamers.”
The new team owners also shared their excitement about joining the league.
Mr. Gopal Srinivasan commented, “As a firm believer in the transformative power of technology, I’m happy to support the Global e-Cricket Premier League and the Chennai franchise. Esports offers a unique platform to nurture talent and foster inclusion. I look forward to witnessing the incredible skills and passion of our players and expanding India’s influence in the global esports landscape.”
Mr. Madhusudanan R added, “Cricket has always been a unifying force in India, and esports is rapidly transforming how we connect with the sport. Being part of the Chennai franchise in the GEPL allows us to tap into a growing digital audience and offer them a platform to showcase their skills. I am excited about the potential this league holds for fostering talent and pushing the boundaries of competitive eCricket.”
Mr. Arjun Santhanakrishnan said, “eCricket is redefining the boundaries of sports, and I am thrilled to be a part of this journey with the Chennai franchise in the Global e-Cricket Premier League. The blend of cricket, technology, and esports is creating new opportunities for fan engagement and innovation, and I look forward to witnessing the next generation of esports talent from Chennai rise on the global stage.”
Mr. Rohit Potphode, CEO & League Commissioner of GEPL, enthused on the occasion, “We are thrilled to have Gopal Srinivasan, Madhusudanan R and Arjun Santhanakrishnanonboard as the franchise team owners for Chennai. Their participation adds immense value to the league, not just from a leadership standpoint but in terms of fostering innovation and new opportunities for players. As we look ahead to Season 2, we are working hard to expand the league’s footprint and deliver an unparalleled competitive experience that will captivate both players and fans alike.”
The second season of GEPL is set to introduce an expanded team format, new league guidelines, and a more intense competitive framework, building on the success of Season 1. Real Cricket 24 continues to set the standard for cricket simulation with nuanced mechanics, challenging gameplay, and a focus on strategy. The finals for GEPL Season 2 are scheduled for January 2025, where the top teams will once again compete for the prestigious title of ‘e-Cricket Icon’ on a global stage.
The post JETSYNTHESYS WELCOMES GOPAL SRINIVASAN, MADHUSUDANAN R, AND ARJUN SANTHANAKRISHNAN AS CHENNAI FRANCHISE OWNERS FOR GLOBAL E-CRICKET PREMIER LEAGUE SEASON 2 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
Delasport Teams Up with Betable Group in UK and Philippines Partnership
Leading iGaming supplier Delasport has agreed a strategic partnership with Betable Group, that will see the pair working closely together in both the UK and the Philippines.
The deal means Betable Group brands in both markets will gain access to Delasport’s comprehensive sportsbook solution, on top of the existing Betable Gaming platform that offers both casino and bingo.
The strategic partnership will initially launch in the Philippines, before expanding to the UK shortly.
“This partnership is a win-win-win for Delasport, Betable, and their customers,” said Delasport’s CEO Oren Cohen Shwartz. “The UK and the Philippines are extremely appealing markets – one is mature and developed, while the other is emerging and full of potential. Thanks to Betable’s professionalism and reach, we can now quickly deliver our award-winning solution to more operators worldwide.”
Charlie Noble, COO at Betable Group, added: “Integrating Delasport’s sportsbook product now allows our partner operators in the UK and the Philippines to offer players a complete gaming experience. We’ve been extremely impressed by Delasport’s sportsbook product, and this partnership underlines our commitment to delivering the very best to both our operator partners and the end user.”
Delasport’s Plug & Play iFrame solution is an operator favourite, due to a range of unique features that sport bettors love to engage with.
The post Delasport Teams Up with Betable Group in UK and Philippines Partnership appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
Vasista Esports Crowned Champions of Red Bull M.E.O. 2024 at Chennai Trade Centre
The Red Bull M.E.O. 2024 BGMI Grand Finals concluded in spectacular fashion at the Chennai Trade Centre, with Vasista Esports emerging as the champions. The team, which flew under the radar leading up to the finals, delivered a phenomenal performance to claim the coveted title.
Coming into the Grand Finals, Vasista Esports had placed 13th in the semifinals, raising doubts about their chances. However, the roster maintained consistency throughout the 18 matches in the grand finals, propelling them to the top of the standings table with 153 points.
The journey to victory wasn’t without challenges. While Vasista Esports took an early lead, they faced stiff resistance from formidable teams like Orangutan, Gods Reign, and Soul Esports during the intense L.AN finale.
In fact, Orangutan almost clinched the title in the penultimate game where they picked up 10 finishes and placed second. But, with Vasista Esports playing it safe to place second in that match, they maintained their position at the top. Orangutan ended as the runners-up with a mere 6 point difference to Vasista Esports.
With this victory, Vasista Esports not only earns the prestigious title but also an exclusive Red Bull F1 experience, where the team will travel to witness a live Formula 1 race in 2025.
In a post match interview, Vasista Esports Pukar said, “We are feeling really good. Honestly, we have been trying to win for the past two seasons and even finished second once. This time, we have won it all and can’t wait to watch the FI race live.”
On their consistency, the player added, “We approached each game with a fresh mindset, taking it one game at a time and leaving behind the results of the previous matches.”
The Red Bull M.E.O. 2024 featured open qualifiers with thousands of players from across India competing for a chance to shine on the big stage. Ultimately, 16 teams battled it out in the Grand Finals at the Chennai Trade Centre. The tournament achieved remarkable success, drawing ove 20fe concurrent viewers. Skyesports had executed the event.
The post Vasista Esports Crowned Champions of Red Bull M.E.O. 2024 at Chennai Trade Centre appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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