Nagaland steps into the Esports limelight during the Hornbill Festival

Competitors during the inaugural day of the Hornbill Esports Championship 2024 in Kohima on December 6. (Photo Courtesy: Lan Yanthan)

Morung Express News
Kohima/Dimapur | December 6 

In a bid to leverage the rapidly evolving global e-sports market, the 1st Hornbill Esports Championship 2024 launched today at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima as part of the 25th Hornbill Festival festivities. Anthony Ngullie, Secretary of the Department of Youth Resources & Sports, Nagaland, officially inaugurated the event.

The global esports sector is anticipated to surpass $1.8 billion in revenue by 2025, boasting a swiftly increasing audience of over 640 million fans globally. In India, the esports market is projected to expand at a 46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), exceeding Rs 11 billion by 2025, fueled by advancements in gaming infrastructure, tournaments, and a technologically adept youth population.

Organized by the Department of Youth Resources & Sports in cooperation with LVL UP Consultancy, this championship has attracted gaming fans from around the country to compete in three esports categories: Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), DOTA 2, and FC24 (FIFA).

Currently, 16 teams are in the running for BGMI, 5 teams for DOTA 2, and 32 individual participants in FIFA. The championship has sparked significant enthusiasm, marking Nagaland’s entry into the flourishing esports domain and its dedication to youth empowerment.

Kethosituo Sekhose, Director of Youth Resources & Sports, conveyed to participants and spectators the necessity of keeping pace with the technological transformation influencing sports. “With the introduction of computers and technology, we have witnessed a profound shift in lifestyles. Modern sports encompass not just the physical aspect but also the mental challenges,” he expressed.

He also mentioned the Nagaland government’s resolve to position esports as a fundamental element of its youth engagement framework. “This is a modest beginning, yet a crucial step for our community. In the future, we aspire to broaden this championship to incorporate 10 to 20 diverse esports fields,” Sekhose indicated.

Emphasizing the global importance of esports, Sekhose referenced the forthcoming Esports Olympics 2025 in Saudi Arabia. “We aim to prepare for that, and this championship serves as a stride towards that goal,” he noted.

The Hornbill Esports Championship is regarded as a strategic move, with esports opening pathways for careers in gaming, content creation, and development.

This championship is planned to become an annual event, attracting national and international competitors to display their skills while enhancing the state’s digital economy.

Prize Money and Incentives
The championship has organized cash awards for the victors in the three categories:

BGMI: Total prize pool of Rs 3.50 lakh, with Rs 1.20 lakh awarded to the champion.

DOTA 2: Total prize pool of Rs 2 lakh, with Rs 1 lakh going to the champion.

FC24: Total prize pool of Rs 50,000, with Rs 25,000 designated for the champion.

An additional reward of Rs 5000 will be presented to the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in BGMI.