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S8UL gaming festival over 13,000 attendees in epic two-day extravaganza
Mumbai: The first-ever S8UL Gaming Fest, presented by Lenovo and Intel, was a two-day gaming spectacle bringing together more than 13,000 attendees from the Indian Gaming community to celebrate the journey of Indian gaming & Esports as a tribute to S8UL fans, at the Manpho Convention Centre in Bangalore. Around 30 S8UL gamers were present at the event, and the attendees rejoiced as they connected with their favorite gamers, competed in fun tournaments, participated in cosplay, and experienced some revolutionary gaming tech. The event was co-hosted by The Esports Club (TEC). Sponsors & event partners Youtube India, Mogo Esports, and Act Fibernet helped make the event a resounding success.
The gaming carnival, which was organised by S8UL Esports, India’s foremost Esports organisation in partnership with the Esports Club, witnessed an unprecedented response from the gaming community as it also garnered over 50 million views on Instagram stories, 200 million overall impressions across all social media channels, and was trending at #2 and #4 on YouTube.
With this event, S8UL Esports which is the brainchild of Indian Esports industry veterans and distinguished gamers Naman Mathur (Mortal), Animesh Agarwal (8Bit Thug), and Lokesh Jain (Goldy) became the first Indian Esports organization to successfully host a gaming fest in the country. Following its ground-breaking success, the organization also officially announced that the gaming fest will be back next year on an even bigger scale and will be hosted in Mumbai.
S8UL co-founder and CEO Animesh Agarwal aka 8Bit Thug said, “The S8UL Gaming Fest was a unique celebration dedicated to our fans, providing them with a platform to connect with their beloved creators. The response we received in terms of interactions on social media as well as the turnout at the event was truly overwhelming. Engaging in exciting activities with the community that has been such a big part of our journey was heartwarming for each one of us. We extend our gratitude to all the attendees, especially to our partners and sponsors whose stellar support enabled our initiative to turn into a grand success. Looking ahead, we cannot wait to bring the second edition of this unforgettable experience for our fans on an even larger scale and are confident that it will exceed everyone’s expectations”.
The gaming fest enabled fans to immerse in the world of premium gaming experiences with VR and Racing Simulators and the opportunity to try their hands on the latest high-end gaming devices from Lenovo and Intel that were on display at the fest. Adding to the excitement, Mortal and 8Bit Sid unveiled the latest Lenovo LOQ product too, at the event.
Lenovo India director of marketing Chandrika Jain stated, “The S8UL Gaming Festival gave us an opportunity to engage with hundreds of casual and serious gamers. With over 10k attendees experiencing gaming on our Legion devices at the event, this weekend’s crowd-puller really solidified our leadership and popularity amongst the gaming community. It was great to partner with S8UL Gaming Festival and The Esports Club to bring forth this impactful, ultimate gaming experience on-ground.”
By bringing together the country’s leading gaming talent, creators, and their passionate fan base all under one roof, the S8UL Gaming Fest provided gaming enthusiasts with a one-of-a-kind experience. The event showcased a diverse range of activities that kept the audience on the edge of their seats throughout the two days.
The Esports Club co-founder & COO Mansoor “Nabu” Ahmed said, “ The two-day extravaganza has brought sheer delight to the gaming community, and we’re even more excited to continue making it even better alongside S8UL. Stay tuned for more epic gaming experiences!”
The gaming fest’s main attractions included the S8UL creator Valorant Tournament, which witnessed intense battles between the organization’s popular creators such as ScoutOP, SnaxGaming, PayalGaming, Regaltos, 8Bit Mamba, and KrutikaPlays and among others. At the event, fans were also finally able to get their hands on the highly anticipated S8UL Esports merchandise that had been eagerly awaited.
Going beyond the tournaments and merch, gaming aficionados had the opportunity to gain insights and tips from the distinguished creators of the industry who were part of the YouTube panel discussion. Fans gained valuable knowledge directly from their favorite content creators, about their journey in the digital space.
Additionally, the fest also hosted a captivating Gaming Cosplay Competition on both days. Attendees showcased their remarkable costumes and accessories with the winner being rewarded with a stunning Lenovo gaming laptop.
The S8UL Gaming Fest with the support of Youtube India, MOGO, ACT Fibernet, Lenovo, Intel, and the Esports Club has set a new benchmark for gaming events in India, and the gaming community will eagerly be anticipating the upcoming edition to engage in more exciting activities.
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.
