Esports Conclave 2025: Minister highlights government-private sector partnership in esports
The Esports Conclave 2025, hosted by the Physical Education Foundation of India (PEFI) and sponsored by Krafton and Invest India, is a milestone event in India’s gaming sector. Policymakers, industry captains, and gaming aficionados gathered at the event to deliberate on the future of esports in India and its global leadership role.
Government’s role in esports development
Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Raksha Nikhil Khadse (as depicted in the featured image), emphasised the government’s commitment to recognising esports as a mainstream sport. She referred to efforts to improve digital literacy, ensure employment opportunities, and support esports players through various initiatives. With the theme of “Forging the Path to Global Leadership,” the conclave aimed to integrate esports into Aatmanirbhar Bharat and enhance India’s role in the global gaming ecosystem. The conference served as a platform for discussing policy paradigms, infrastructure, and career paths for esports.
Collaboration between government and private sector
One of the major agendas of the conclave was to consolidate collaborations between the private sector and government. Firms such as Krafton and Invest India are vital in terms of funding, infrastructure, and visibility for Indian esports players.
A landmark decision by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports made esports medal winners eligible for cash incentives. This move is expected to boost morale among aspiring players and encourage competitive gaming at the highest level.
The conclave aimed to position India as a major player in the global esports’ ecosystem. The event saw participation from industry leaders, including Sean Hyunil Sohn (CEO, Krafton India), Amulya Sah (Senior VP, Invest India), Anandeshwar Panday (General Secretary, UP Olympic Association), and Piyush Jain (National Secretary, PEFI), among others. Their insights and contributions played a key role in shaping the discussions.
Esports as a mainstream sport
Esports has gained international recognition, being included as a medal sport in the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou and set to return in 2026 at Nagoya. The conclave discussed potential steps towards Olympic inclusion and the role of Indian esports athletes on the global stage.
India’s esports industry has witnessed rapid growth. In 2022, the number of esports players was recorded at 600,000—a 300 percent increase from the previous year. This number is expected to exceed one million in the next five years, reflecting the rising popularity and acceptance of esports as a legitimate profession.
S8UL in Esports World Cup 2025
Indian esports organisation S8UL has been selected as a club partner for the upcoming Esports World Cup 2025. The announcement was made by the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) on 17th January 2025.
The Director of Club & Player Relations from the Esports World Cup Foundation, Hans Jagnow, commented on the extraordinary feat by S8UL and what it means for the future of Indian esports.
Jagnow said, “India is home to one of the world’s most passionate and rapidly growing gaming communities, and S8UL joining the EWCF Club Partner Programme as a member is a significant moment for Indian esports. Over the last years, S8UL has built a globally recognised powerhouse—not just in esports, but in gaming culture across the region—and we’re excited to see them bring their energy and talent as one of the leading esports content groups to the Road to EWC25 and tell exciting stories around and beyond the 2025 Esports World Cup to the Indian esports’ community.”
