Following the decision by India’s government to classify “competitive gaming” as a multisport event, Esports will be recognized as an Indian professional sport category.
Esports events will no longer be classified under the term ‘online gaming’. This was long debated by Indian esports stakeholders.
Obtaining its recognition as an esports category, India’s Department of Sports will oversee the development of policy and integrity of the esports industry.
President of India Droupadi Mumu approved the changes that allow for esports to be reclassified.
India’s government acknowledged that “esports” needed to be recognized as an independent entity within the larger category of online gambling like fantasy rummy, casinos and poker.
Online gaming can be loosely defined as any type of video game, regardless of its platform or level. However, esports is the term for competitive gaming.
The Esports Federation of India(EFI) welcomed this approval, which was a “monumental step” towards the growth of esports and India’s future.
Lokesh Suji, Director of EFI, said that “we welcome the announcement by our government in leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Modi ji. This will open up new avenues for pouring in more investments in this booming sector.”
It will be only a matter of time before esports are in the same league with cricket, football and basketball. they have similar fan power, scale, and craze span>
