Gaming
FanCode acquires exclusive streaming rights for the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023
Mumbai: Digital sports fan destination FanCode announced that it has acquired the exclusive rights to live-stream the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023 (men’s & women’s) in India.
The will be played across Asia, Africa, North America, Australia, and Europe until May 2023, and will witness over 400 action-packed matches across 11 tournaments hosted live and exclusively on the FanCode mobile app, the FanCode TV app available on Android TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Jio STB, Samsung TV, and through the web at www.fancode.com.
FanCode is curating a comprehensive and immersive digital experience aimed at revolutionising how fans consume sports, beginning with the ability to select data and analysis of choice via interactive overlays while viewing the live stream. Fans will also be able to rewatch and relive any moment from the game almost in real-time.
The 2023 edition will tour Hong Kong, Dubai, Cape Town, Hamilton, Sydney, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Singapore, Toulouse, and London for 11 men’s and seven women’s events. The participating nations include Argentina, Australia, Canada, Fiji, France, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, Kenya, New Zealand, Samoa, South Africa, Spain, Uganda, Uruguay, and the USA. The series will be played in two groups going head-to-head to reach the playoffs.
The stakes surrounding the current tournament will be at an all-time high, with the top four position holders securing their tickets to Paris 2024. With the conclusion of the Hong Kong and Dubai events, South Africa and Australia are currently leading the charts in the men’s and women’s series, respectively. The teams are now battling it out in Cape Town across 48 matches scheduled between 9-12 December.
Gaming
Skyesports, GodLike Esports sign MoU with Maharashtra Cyber
Partnership promotes esports growth and cyber hygiene across the state.
MUMBAI: Skyesports and Godlike Esports just teamed up with Maharashtra Cyber because when you’re levelling up gaming in India, even the police want to join the squad. Skyesports, India’s leading esports and gaming IP builder, and premier organisation Godlike Esports have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Maharashtra Cyber, the state’s nodal cyber security office, to foster esports development while embedding cyber hygiene and online safety practices across Maharashtra.
The agreement, formalised during a closed-door meeting in Mumbai, aligns with the state’s push to grow the orange economy and positions Maharashtra as a rising hub for digital gaming and esports. It emphasises responsible participation, cyber awareness and safe digital conduct among gamers and youth.
Under the MoU, Skyesports will organise and promote tournaments and community initiatives infused with cyber hygiene messaging. GodLike Esports will contribute through professional player mentorship, community engagement and awareness programmes encouraging positive behaviour. Maharashtra Cyber will support safety campaigns and promote responsible online practices within the ecosystem.
Skyesports founder and CEO Shiva Nandy said, “The growth of esports requires strong collaboration between the industry and government stakeholders. This MoU with Maharashtra Cyber represents an important step toward strengthening Maharashtra’s esports ecosystem through responsible gaming initiatives and grassroots engagement.”
Maharashtra Cyber additional director general of police Yashasvi Yadav added, “As esports continues to grow rapidly among young audiences, it is equally important to promote safe and responsible digital practices within the gaming ecosystem.”
Godlike Esports, founder Chetan “Kronten” Chandgude noted, “The true growth of esports in India lies in strengthening its roots at the grassroots level. This collaboration will support the state’s vision of building a strong and sustainable esports ecosystem.”
Eyrie Entertainment will cover and amplify Maharashtra Cyber’s cyber awareness activities across events and campaigns.
The partnership reflects a forward-looking effort to nurture Maharashtra’s esports talent pipeline while ensuring rapid growth is matched by strong digital safety guardrails. Further initiatives, tournaments and outreach programmes are expected to be announced soon.
In a state where gaming is levelling up faster than broadband speeds, this MoU isn’t just paperwork, it’s a power-up that turns players into safer, smarter pros, one secure headshot at a time.
