India starts hunt for World Esports Championship title with NESC25
The Esports Federation of India (ESFI) has launched the National Esports Championship 2025 (NESC25) to select its official team for the 17th World Esports Championship (WEC). This event is organised by the International Esports Federation (IESF) and supported by the Asian Esports Federation.
Purpose of NESC 2025
The National Esports Championship 2025 (NESC25) will select India’s official esports team for the 17th World Esports Championship (WEC). Winners from NESC25 will represent India at the prestigious WEC, organised by the International Esports Federation (IESF). The championship features online qualifiers for Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) and DOTA 2, while the 2024 eFootball champion receives a direct entry, recognising their consistent performance.
Registrations for the National Esports Championship 2025 (NESC25) are now open for and until 19 May 2025. Matches begin online on 22 May and will be streamed live on ESFI’s official YouTube channel, allowing fans to support their favourites from home. The tournament follows a double-elimination format, giving players two chances before elimination, ensuring a fair and intense competition that truly separates the best from the rest.
Congratulations to Gurashish & Shubham for winning NESC2025, They shall be representing India at the BRICS Esports Championship 25 – Tekken8, Moscow
— Esports Federation of India (@esfindia)
Details of the national qualifiers
The International Esports Federation (IESF) organises the World Esports Championship (WEC), drawing top talent from around the globe. In a new twist, India’s 2024 eFootball NESC champion gets a direct entry to the WEC, rewarding their perseverance despite the game being dropped from last year’s event.
To highlight the significance of the National Esports Championship 2025 (NESC25) and its impact on India’s esports landscape, ESFI Director Lokesh Suji shared his insights. He emphasised the importance of recent achievements and the future goals for Indian esports.
Suji said, “India’s recent historic gold medal victories at the WAVES Esports Championship have established that our athletes can perform on the international stage. With NESC25, we want to build on that momentum and increase our global influence. Our vision is clear: to establish India as an esports superpower through systematic pathways, high-performance platforms, and regular global representation.”
NESC2025 Game Titles, Categories and Road Map
— Esports Federation of India (@esfindia)
Roster for BRICS Esports Championship 2025
Alongside preparations for the World Esports Championship (WEC), ESFI has finalised the Indian roster for this multi-nation showdown. The BRICS Esports Championship 2025 will feature top teams from China, UAE, South Africa, Russia, and more. Organised as part of Russia’s sports calendar, this prestigious event will take place at VK Play Arena in Moscow from 28 May to 3 June. India will compete against elite talent from BRICS nations and beyond.
India stunned the esports world by winning silver in the previous edition. With stronger preparation and experience, the 2025 squad is poised to go for gold. After a fierce double-elimination qualifier with 60 players nationwide, Gurashish “Soul” Singh emerged victorious, followed closely by Shubham Khorwal. Both athletes will represent India in Tekken 8 at the BRICS event, where India made history with a silver last year.
Star Indian players for BRICS 2025
Gurashish “Soul” Singh’s victory at NESC 2025 was a heartfelt moment. Singh is known for his success in smaller events, but now aims to conquer international arenas.
He stated, “While I have achieved strong placements in significant tournaments as well as won many smaller ones, I had not secured 1st place in any major event until now. NESC 2025 marks my first major tournament victory. This is just the beginning, as I have to represent my country at the BRICS Esports Championship, and I’ll keep trying my all.”
Shubham Khorwal, who finished fourth last year, is determined to secure a podium finish in 2025. Khorwal noted, “As I prepare for the upcoming BRICS Esports Championship, every session is about pushing my limits. Representing India on an international stage is a responsibility I take seriously, and this time, I’m aiming for the podium.”
Congratulations to Gurashish & Shubham for winning NESC2025, They shall be representing India at the BRICS Esports Championship 25 – Tekken8, Moscow
— Esports Federation of India (@esfindia)
ESFI’s role in building Indian esports
ESFI has significantly elevated India’s presence in esports, from participating in the Asian Games 2018 and 2022 to the Commonwealth Esports Championship 2022. As a member of IESF, AESF, and GEF, ESFI’s global partnerships offer more opportunities and recognition for Indian talent. Beyond hosting tournaments, ESFI is building ecosystems with training programmes, mentoring, and exposure, providing everything a budding athlete needs.
