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Skyesports Championship 5.0 partners with Loco
Mumbai: The Skyesports Championship, India’s longest-running esports IP, is set to make a triumphant return with its fifth annual edition, Skyesports Championship 5.0. This year’s championship promises to be bigger and better than ever, featuring a staggering Rs 2.12 crore Prize Pool, grassroots-level qualifiers, and adrenaline-pumping esports action. Notably, the BGMI Finals will unfold at the prestigious Koramangala Indoor Stadium in Bangalore, offering a live spectacle to esports fans for free from 1 to 5 November.
Loco, the world’s leading independent esports and live-streaming platform has partnered with Skyesports Championship, India’s most esteemed esports intellectual property for their fifth edition. With an aim to offer the best viewing experience to fans across India, the tournament will be broadcast live on Loco in English, Hindi, and Tamil, ensuring that fans everywhere can immerse themselves in the action.
Additionally, the Skyesports Championship 5.0 is powered by AMD, an innovator in high-performance graphics, computing, and visualization technologies. The event, split across PC and mobile games, and spanning gamers from India, South Asia, and the Middle East provides the perfect opportunity to showcase the power of AMD’s graphical prowess.
So far, four teams have qualified for the BGMI LAN Finale. These are as follows:
GodLike Esports: Defending Skyesports Championship BGMI Winners
Big Brothers Esports: Champions of the Skyesports Skirmish Series 2023
Soul Esports and Blind Esports: Top 2 teams of the Skyesports Champions Series (SCS) 2023
Commenting on the return of the Skyesports Championship for a historic fifth edition, Skyesports founder and CEO Shiva Nandy said, “From a mere Rs. 3 Lakhs prize pool at the Skyesports Championship 1.0 in 2019, we now proudly present an astounding Rs. 2.12 Crore prize pool, a 70x growth since our first edition and one of the biggest in the history of Indian esports. This tournament is designed to provide aspiring gamers with grassroots-level qualifiers, serving as a #PathtoPro for those who dream of achieving greatness in the esports arena. We are absolutely delighted to welcome Loco and AMD as our partners, as they play an integral role in showcasing the immense potential of India’s longest-running homegrown esports intellectual property. Lastly, with our LAN Finals for BGMI at the Koramangala Indoor Stadium, we look forward to putting on a thrilling show for esports audiences.
Speaking on the announcement LOCO co-founder and vice president of business operations Firasat Durrani said, “We are thrilled to take the stage as the exclusive streaming partner for Skyesports Championship 5.0. This partnership is a testament to our unwavering dedication to delivering a diverse range of content to our viewers, especially in the realm of esteemed esports like BGMI. Our mission has always been to bring the pulse-pounding world of esports to fans far 2
and wide, and this collaboration marks a significant milestone in our journey. Through the Skyesports Championship 5.0, we’re also presenting an excellent opportunity for advertising brands to connect with the gaming community through our comprehensive media solutions. Loco is thrilled to be a part of this journey, raising the bar for esports entertainment in India.” ‘
Registrations are open now for the Skyesports Championship 5.0. Aspiring professional players can head over to the Skyesports Discord channel to sign up. Tickets for the LAN Finale in Bangalore will be available for free, the details of which will be announced soon. Stay tuned to Skyesports’ Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter handles for more information.
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.
