Gaming
Medal Esports joins Skyesports Masters for India’s franchised Esports league
Mumbai: Delhi-based Esports organisation, Medal Esports, has been confirmed as the sixth franchise in the Skyesports Masters. The org will be entering Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) to compete for glory and a share of the Rs 2,00,00,000 prize pool in India’s first franchised esports tournament.
The Skyesports Masters is set to kick off with the League Stage from 8 July to 17 Aug. The eight franchised teams will lock horns in an intense round-robin action spanning multiple weeks with the top four advancing to the Playoffs. The Skyesports Masters Playoffs will happen on 26 and 27 Aug as India’s four best CS:GO rosters compete for the title of champions. The on-ground event is set to be a spectacle like never before as a benchmark-setting LAN for Indian esports.
Medal Esports founder and CEO Kabir Kohli said, “Our participation in the Skyesports Masters not only fulfils our long-standing dream of having a team in CS:GO, but also aligns perfectly with our vision of competing in top-tier tournaments. This event, with its franchised model, holds great significance for Indian esports as it will not only promote Counter-Strike from the grassroots with the cafe qualifiers but also provide commercial viability to the teams. We believe in the long-term vision of the tournament and hope to contribute to the growth of Counter-Strike in India”.
Medal Esports will be unveiling a seven-man roster for the Skyesports Masters soon. Two of these players will be from the open-for-all cafe qualifiers, which are currently ongoing in 20 cities across India. More details are available on the official Skyesports Masters website.
Medal has made a long-term commitment to Counter-Strike and will be employing a tried and tested approach to its new roster. The new team will be fostered in an environment of trust and open communication to recognize and build on their mistakes while solidifying themselves as a top Counter-Strike roster in the country.
Skyesports founder and CEO Shiva Nandy said, “We are thrilled to welcome Medal Esports as the sixth franchise in the Skyesports Masters. Medal Esports’ long-term commitment to Counter-Strike aligns with our vision of fostering the growth and development of the game in India. We are set to redefine the esports landscape of India with the upcoming Skyesports Masters and I’m thrilled to have Medal Esports as a part of that journey.”
Medal Esports now joins the likes of Revenant Esports, Gods Reign, 7Sea Esports, Marcos Gaming, and Reckoning Esports in the Skyesports Masters. Stay tuned to Skyesports’ socials for the last two franchises in the historic esports league.
Gaming
Nodwin Gaming partners with Runestone for esports data and integrity solutions
South Asian esports leader joins forces with Czech tech firm to enhance tournament operations.
MUMBAI: Nodwin Gaming has just levelled up its game by bringing in a specialist to keep the scoreboard honest and the fans fully engaged. The leading South Asian esports and gaming company has announced a strategic partnership with Runestone, a Prague-headquartered esports technology firm specialising in real-time data and engagement solutions for tournament organisers and publishers.
The collaboration aims to strengthen competitive integrity, improve operational oversight, and deliver more interactive viewing experiences across Nodwin’s properties. It will initially focus on the Nodwin Clutch Series for Counter-Strike 2, a Tier 2 tournament that provides emerging teams with consistent competitive opportunities and helps build the talent pipeline.
The latest edition of the series recently concluded with Big defeating ECSTATIC 2–1 in the grand final of the $50,000 online event.
Nodwin Gaming chief business officer at MENA and global head of data monetization Teemu Koski said, “Integrity and transparency are fundamental to sustainable esports ecosystems, especially in Tier 2 competition where the next generation of talent emerges. Runestone’s expertise complements our experience in building scalable esports IPs.”
Runestone head of partnerships Michael Schwartz added, “Nodwin Gaming has built one of the most dynamic esports ecosystems across emerging markets. We’re thrilled to collaborate on supporting tournaments with greater transparency, deeper fan interaction, and scalable tools.”
Both companies are exploring opportunities to extend the partnership across additional titles, including mobile-first competitive ecosystems, and to develop new products for publishers, tournament operators, and event promoters.
In the rapidly growing world of esports, where fair play and fan excitement are equally crucial, Nodwin Gaming and Runestone are teaming up to ensure every match is not only competitive but also transparent and engaging. This alliance could well become a game-changer for Tier 2 tournaments across South Asia and beyond.
