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Esports athletes receive official approval from ministry of youth affairs and sports for the Asian Games 2022
Mumbai: In a groundbreaking achievement for Indian Esports, the ministry of youth affairs and sports (MYAS) has officially approved the 15-member Esports contingent that will be participating in the Asian Games 2022 alongside other sports (letter attached).
Esports is going to make its debut at the Asian Games 2022 as a proper medal event, earlier in 2018 it was there as a demonstration title. Initially scheduled for September last year, the tournament will now be held from 23 September to 8 October 2023. This multi-nation event will cement the industry mark into a mainstream sports scene.
Commenting on the Esports getting the official stamp of approval from the MYAS, please find below the quote on behalf of the Asian Esports Federation (AESF) director, Esports Federation of India & vice president of Lokesh Suji,
“Witnessing our Esports team receive the official endorsement from the ministry of
youth affairs and sports is a moment that fulfils the dreams of everyone involved in the Esports movement in India. This recognition goes beyond just the 15 team members participating in the Asian Games 2022; it encompasses the entire Esports community in the country. Our community has relentlessly worked towards gaining acknowledgement for their dedication and the sport itself.
The ESFI has consistently emphasised treating Esports players as athletes, and seeing our efforts yield results brings us immeasurable joy. The boundary that once separated Esports athletes from traditional sports athletes has now disappeared, ensuring they are treated equally in terms of support and recognition.
We want to express our deep gratitude to the ministry of youth affairs and sports and the Indian Olympic Association for their dedication and their open embrace of the growth of Esports as a legitimate sport. With our sights set on the Asian Games 2022, we hold unwavering confidence that our immensely talented athletes will raise the profile of Indian Esports on the international stage, filling our nation with pride.”
India will be participating in four of the seven total titles at the Asian Games 2022: DOTA Two, FIFA Online Four, League of Legends, and Street Fighter V: Champion edition.
The 15-member Indian contingent is as follows:
FIFA Online four – Charanjot Singh and Karman Singh
Street Fighter V: Champion edition – Mayank Prajapati and Ayan Biswas
League of Legends – Akshaj Shenoy (captain), Samarth Arvind Trivedi, Mihir Ranjan, Aditya Selvaraj, Aakash Shandilya, and Sanindhya Malik
DOTA Two – Darshan Bata (captain), Krish Gupta, Abhishek Yadav, Ketan Goyal, and Shubham Goli
In the recently concluded seeding event for Asian Games 2022, FIFA star Charanjot Singh showcased his domination to secure the top spot in South Asia whereas Karman Singh clinched fifth place.
India’s League of Legends team also secured favourable seeding by going unbeaten against Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan at their LAN seeding event in Macau, while the nation’s DOTA Two team came second in their seeding group, finishing in the top eight in the overall event that was conducted online.
The country’s ace Street Fighter V athletes Ayan Biswas and Mayank Prajapati secured fifth and sixth place respectively in their seeding event.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
