India’s first-ever double gold triumph at WAVES Esports Championship 2025
For the first time in history, India clinched not one but two international gold medals in esports, thanks to stellar performances by Danial “DaNiAL” Patel and Tejaskumar Hasmukhbhai Bhoi at the WAVES Esports Championship (WESC). Hosted at the Jio Convention Centre in Mumbai, it signalled the arrival of a new era where Indian gamers are no longer just participants but serious contenders on the global stage.
WAVES Esports Championship (WESC) overview
The Esports Federation of India (ESFI) initiated the WAVES Esports Championship. Organised as part of the grand WAVES Summit, the championship blended gaming, technology, and culture, leading up to the Stratosphere Awards. The ESFI, the governing body of esports in India, conducted WESC with the aim of increasing the nation’s stature in the global gaming space.
DaNiAL’s road to glory in eFootball
DaNiAL’s journey to the finals in eFootball was filled with intensity. He began with a strong performance, beating Laos’ Southiphone Singthong 5-3, before narrowly getting ahead of Thailand’s Nathawat Satake with a 2-1 victory. In the final nail-biting match, DaNiAL faced Malaysia’s Mohamad Azrudin Bin Yaacob. With sheer accuracy, he won 2-0, securing India’s first esports gold.
After winning, DaNiAL shared, “Competing on a global stage pushed me beyond my limits. The energy, talent, and passion I witnessed were truly inspiring. WAVES gave me not just a platform to showcase my skills, but also memories and connections that will last a lifetime.”
Tejas dominats in WCC3
Tejas tackled the WCC3 event like an old hand. Facing players from Sri Lanka and Nepal, he headed the scoreboard from the start, never allowing the lead to pass. Tejas went undefeated in the round-robin and finals, demonstrating unprecedented consistency and concentration. Tejas said, “The world’s waves may crash loud, but the calm of a focused mind always wins the league.”
ESFI’s vision and leadership
During the WAVES Summit 2025, the Esports Federation of India (ESFI) celebrated India’s remarkable achievements in the international esports arena.
Speaking on the occasion, ESFI President Vinod Tiwari stated, “India’s historic first international golds at WESC are a testament to that progress. In a high-stakes arena, our athletes didn’t just compete, they delivered. DaNiAL and Tejas showed exactly the kind of composure, maturity, and gameplay that defines the future of Indian esports.”
Tiwari acknowledged Prime Minister Modi’s visionary role in putting Indian esports on the global map. With governmental backing, the sector is now advancing with purpose and momentum.
Tiwari added, “WAVES is a visionary initiative, and we are deeply grateful to Prime Minister Modi for placing Indian esports on the international stage with such foresight. Under his leadership, the sector is moving in the right direction with purpose and momentum.”
The rise of esports in India
With millions of viewers tuning into live streams and a growing ecosystem of sponsors and academies, Indian esports is gaining serious momentum. India’s involvement in the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Esports Championship further highlights the nation’s commitment to integrating competitive gaming into mainstream sports.
S8UL, a prominent Indian esports organisation, has been selected as a Club Partner by the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) for the 2025 Esports World Cup. This makes them the first and only Indian team to achieve this status. This partnership signifies a significant milestone for Indian esports, allowing S8UL to participate in a global event and potentially engage with a worldwide audience.
For the first time in the history of the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 (KIYG), esports will be stepping into the spotlight as a demonstration event. Scheduled to be held in Bihar from May 4 to 14, KIYG 2025 will host its esports competitions from May 6 to 7 at the Patliputra Sports Complex, featuring popular titles such as Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), Street Fighter 6, Chess, and eFootball on both mobile and console.
