In a landmark decision, the Directorate of Sports and Youth Services of the Maharashtra Government has announced a cash prize of INR 10 lakhs for each esports athlete from the state who represented India at the Asian Games 2022. This pioneering move marks the first time an Indian state government has recognized esports players on par with traditional sports athletes, acknowledging their achievements in a major international tournament.
The rewarded individuals include prominent members of the DOTA 2 team, such as Darshan Bata, Krish Gupta, Ketan Goyal, and Shubham Goli, as well as League of Legends player Samarth Trivedi. Their commendable performance at the Asian Games, where esports featured as a medal event for the first time, has brought pride to the nation and highlighted the potential of Indian esports on the global stage.
The Maharashtra Government’s gesture is seen as a significant step towards the legitimization of esports within the country’s sporting framework. It follows the Indian government’s official recognition of esports as a multi-sport event in December 2022 and the return of popular titles like Free Fire and BGMI to the Indian market.
Esports athletes and enthusiasts have expressed their gratitude for the government’s support, which not only provides financial assistance but also encourages the growth of competitive gaming in India. The recognition by the Maharashtra Government is expected to pave the way for further advancements in the Indian esports industry and inspire other states to follow suit.