Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Aug 30: Maharashtra Minister for Electronics, Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence Development and Cultural Affairs Ashish Shelar has been elected president of the Esports Games Federation (ESGF), taking charge of the national body working for the promotion and development of esports in India.
Shelar was elected unanimously at the ESGF Board Meeting held in New Delhi on August 28. His name was proposed by ESGF founder and acting president Adv Nandan Jha and chairperson Ashok Dhyanchand, and seconded by ESGF Secretary General Gursharan Singh. The proposal received the support of the board members and state representatives present at the meeting.
The meeting was attended by representatives from 22 states and discussed measures to strengthen India's esports ecosystem, upcoming initiatives and the need to provide a more structured direction to the rapidly growing sector.
After taking charge, Shelar said efforts would be made to give Indian esports a more structured, transparent and professional framework, while creating better platforms, training opportunities, competitions and avenues for young talent.
He said esports should not be viewed merely as entertainment or gaming, but as a serious sporting field capable of promoting skills, discipline, training and career opportunities for India's youth.
“Just like traditional sports, Esports holds immense potential for India’s tech-savvy youth. With over 52 crore gamers in India, Esports is no longer just gaming; it is a serious arena of skill, discipline, competition and career opportunities,” Shelar said in a post following his election.
According to figures cited by the federation, India has around 52 crore gamers, with approximately 11 crore people playing games every day. Tournaments are currently conducted across 28 games, while esports viewership is estimated at between 8 crore and 9 crore.
The ESGF is working towards establishing a structured system for esports along the lines of traditional sports. This includes national teams, player selection processes, competitions, training programmes, rules and regulations, and international representation.
The federation has also expressed confidence that Shelar’s experience in sports administration and his association with various sports organisations will provide fresh momentum to the development of esports in India.
Shelar is also a board member of the Asian Cricket Council and has previously been associated with sports administration, including the Mumbai Cricket Association and the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
ESGF Secretary General Gursharan Singh said the federation under Shelar’s leadership would focus on strengthening national-level competitions, creating opportunities for grassroots talent and preparing Indian players for international competitions.
The federation is seeking to position India as a strong and competitive force on the global esports stage as the popularity of competitive gaming continues to expand across the country.
With Shelar taking over as president, the ESGF is expected to focus on building a professional ecosystem that provides aspiring esports players with opportunities to train, compete and pursue careers in the rapidly developing sector.