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India’s eFootball ace Hemanth Kommu qualifies for Global Esports Games 2023
Mumbai: Showcasing his gaming prowess against the continent’s best athletes, Hemanth Kommu (peshemak7) produced scintillating performances to prevail in the Asian qualifiers and secure his spot at the prestigious Global Esports Games (GEG). With South Asia having only two slots for the GEG 2023, Kommu performed to the best of his abilities to emerge as one of the representatives from the region.
In a dominating journey towards qualification, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) alumnus clinched impressive victories against Bangladesh (2-0), Maldives (2-1), Nepal (2-0), and Sri Lanka (2-0) in the best-of-three matches. The 26-year-old’s only defeat came against Pakistan in a closely contested 1-2 loss.
Expressing his excitement about the qualification, Hemanth Kommu commented, “I am thrilled and honoured to have secured a spot at the Global Esports Games 2023. The Asian qualifiers were intense, but I was able to secure qualification with my dedication and relentless practice. This will be the second consecutive year that I will be representing India at the tournament and I hope to achieve a podium finish this time. I am grateful to the ESFI for their support and hope to make our country proud in Riyadh.”
Kommu secured his qualification to the Asian qualifiers after being crowned champion of the National Esports Championships (NESC) 2023 organized by the Esports Federation of India (ESFI). The high-voltage qualifiers witnessed the participation of India’s 18 eFootball 2023 athletes, including the country’s representative at the recently concluded World Esports Championships 2023, Ibrahim Gulrez.
“We would like to congratulate Hemanth Kommu for his outstanding performance in the Asian qualifiers and for securing a spot at the GEG 2023. Being a well-renowned name within the eFootball 2023 landscape, we believe his journey will inspire the country’s next generation of athletes to excel in the title. We look forward to Hemanth’s performance on the global stage and are confident that he will bring laurels to the nation,” said The Esports Federation of India (ESFI) director and Asian Esports Federation vice-president Lokesh Suji.
One of the country’s top sports and Esports communication agencies, Artsmith-Concepts & Visions, will continue its support to the Esports Federation of India as its official communication partner.
The Global Esports Games 2023, a flagship event of the Global Esports Federation will be staged in Riyadh in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from December 12-17, 2023. The global, multi-title Esports competition will feature four major titles: DOTA 2, Street Fighter, eFootball 2023, and PUBG Mobile, and will witness the participation of over 950 athletes hailing from more than 100 nations and territories across the globe.
Alongside Kommu, India’s Street Fighter 6 athlete Mayank Prajapati (MiKeYROG) also came close to securing a spot in the Global Esports Games but narrowly missed out on the qualification. Mayank, who recently represented India at the Asian Games 2022 in Street Fighter V: Champion Edition, won three of his five games in the qualifiers and missed out on the global finals only by two points.
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.
