KIYG 2025: Bihar powers India’s Esports World Cup 2025 dreams
The rapid rise of esports as a competitive, skill-based pursuit is finally being acknowledged on official platforms—the inclusion of esports as a demonstration sport at the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) 2025. Now, with esports stepping into this arena, the digital revolution has officially arrived in Indian sports. Thanks to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Federation of Electronic Sports Associations of India (FEAI), we’re witnessing a cultural shift.
Esports’ debut at KIYG 2025 in Bihar
The seventh edition of the Khelo India Youth Games, hosted in Bihar, was a game-changer for Indian esports. For the first time, esports was recognised alongside traditional sports at KIYG.
A total of eight states participated, with two teams per state in select disciplines, making it a pan-India affair. Each sent players ready to fight for the top, with Bihar taking full advantage of the home turf. The event featured a mix of strategy (Chess), fighting games (Street Fighter 6), esports king (BGMI), and sports simulations (eFootball), ensuring variety and inclusivity.
Highlights and winners by category
BGMI: BGMI dominated attention. Bihar’s A team snagged first place, with Tamil Nadu’s A and Bihar’s B team taking second and third, respectively.
E-Football: Tamil Nadu’s Arnav Rajiv Parikh clinched first, followed by Bihar’s Tanav Raj, who won the silver, and Maharashtra’s Ronit bagged the bronze medal.
Chess: Bihar dominated this tournament on the home turf; Rupesh B Ramchandra and Amrit Raunak took first and second. Maharashtra’s Mohit Kamlesh Thanvi rounded off the podium.
Street Fighter 6: In one of the more action-packed events, Mandalapu Sreejesh from Telangana showed nerves of steel to take gold. Maharashtra’s Parth Pawar and Bihar’s Rohit Kumar added depth to a strong leaderboard.
Insights and vision from the leadership
Asarudheen Samsudheen, aka Vaadhiyaar, founder of Team Tamilas, was impressed with the first national-level esports tournament, and his team also bagged silver in BGMI.
Vaadhiyaar stated, “To put together this event in such a short period was amazing, and the support from eight state governments is encouraging. I believe this might prompt those states and their federations to turn their attention towards esports.”
Vaibhav Dange, founder of FEAI, emphasised how this inclusion wasn’t an accident. He praised the state-level involvement and the Khelo India movement’s role in youth development.
Dange noted, “It’s a great initiative, and I must thank and give a shoutout to Sports Authority of India and Government of Bihar, its sports department, and the entire team for including esports as part of the Khelo India movement, which FEAI has been successfully doing for the last few years.”
Abhishek Issar, FEAI co-founder, pointed to the 2027 Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia as the next big target. KIYG might just be the launchpad. Issar noted, “With the esports World Cup scheduled in 2027, the KIYG platform could help us identify more talents to prepare for the global showpiece event in Saudi Arabia.”
India’s preparation for the 2025 Esports World Cup
KIYG could become the crucible for India’s esports World Cup team. Identifying talent now means nurturing future global champions. The Esports Conclave 2025 aims to shape the future of competitive gaming in India by addressing critical areas such as infrastructure and investment. The recently concluded WAVES Esports Championship (WESC), part of the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES), featured online qualifying phases and a Grand Finale, highlighting India’s commitment to nurturing esports talent.
India is gearing up for the 2025 Esports World Cup with a comprehensive strategy that includes selecting S8UL as a club partner, embarking on a pan-India journey to engage fans, and focusing on developing the country’s esports ecosystem.
S8UL has announced its participation in five titles at the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025, scheduled to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The initial titles include Chess, EAFC 25, Tekken 8, Call of Duty (COD): Warzone, and Apex Legends, with additional titles and official rosters to be revealed soon.
