4 days ago
Esports Returns to Asian Games as India Targets Medals
Esports, or competitive video games, will return as official medal events at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
The Games will take place from September 19 to October 4.
There will be 11 esports medal events among 43 sports.
India did not win a medal in esports at the 2023 Games in Hangzhou.
This time, India’s League of Legends players feel more prepared because several have gained previous international experience.
They practice individually, train together, and study recorded matches to improve.
Indian gaming leaders say the Asian Games can help people take esports more seriously.
They also say India needs better facilities, international opportunities, and clearer career paths.
The article gives different counts for the League of Legends roster, listing six names but later referring to a five-member team.
Esports will feature in 11 medal events among 43 sports at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, scheduled for September 19 to October 4.
This will be only the second Asian Games to include esports as an official full-medal event, following Hangzhou in 2023.
India’s League of Legends team has qualified, with players citing stronger preparation and experience than in the previous Games.
Indian players and industry leaders believe esports recognition could attract investment, improve training, and strengthen career pathways.
The ecosystem still faces infrastructure, international travel, visa, job security, government support, and taxation challenges across several titles.
- Who
- India’s esports competitors, including its qualified League of Legends team and Street Fighter player Mayank Prajapati.
- What
- Esports will be contested as an official full-medal sport at the Asian Games, with 11 medal events.
- Where
- The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan; the previous edition was held in Hangzhou, China.
- When
- September 19 to October 4; the article does not specify the year for these dates. Esports previously appeared at Hangzhou in 2023.
- Why
- The inclusion reflects esports’ growing competitive and commercial profile, while India is seeking stronger results after limited success in Hangzhou.
Optimistic Outlook
Remaining Concerns
India’s medal prospects
Optimistic Outlook
League of Legends players say their previous experience, intensive preparation, and recent tournament performances could help India compete for a medal.
Remaining Concerns
Players acknowledge that China, Korea, and other Asian regions have more developed esports ecosystems and may have a competitive advantage.
Esports development
Optimistic Outlook
Industry leaders say Asian Games recognition can encourage investment, improve training structures, and validate esports as a high-performance discipline.
Remaining Concerns
Participants and executives say India still lacks consistent infrastructure, grassroots pathways, job security, government support, and international access for many titles.
Growth of the Indian ecosystem
Optimistic Outlook
Affordable devices and internet, creators, sponsors, and institutional recognition have expanded gaming beyond a small player community.
Remaining Concerns
The article says growth has been uneven, with mobile titles receiving more attention while other games face taxation and weaker support.
Key facts
- Esports medal events
- 11
- Total Asian Games sports
- 43
- Total medal events
- 469
- Previous esports appearance
- Hangzhou, China, in 2023
- India’s Hangzhou participation
- 15 competitors across four esports titles
- India’s best Hangzhou result
- League of Legends quarter-finals
- Indian esports players in 2025
- Nearly 2.85 million, according to the FICCI-EY Media & Entertainment Industry Report 2026
Quotes
Akshaj Shenoy
Captain of India’s League of Legends team competing at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games
“For our contingent, we’ll be going up against countries that already have a well-established esports ecosystem. Though they may have the upper hand, we’re going to put in double the effort and catch them off guard. We will surprise them with our improvement, as they have no insight into our scene.”
financialexpress.com
“It strengthens the case for esports to be treated as a high-performance discipline, encouraging greater investment from brands, state governments, educational institutions and sports bodies.”
financialexpress.com
Sources
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