Gaming
TEGC 2023: A decade of esports excellence returns, unveils new website and trophy
Mumbai: The fun, cool, and futuristic Taiwan Excellence Gaming Cup (TEGC) 2023 is back in India in all its splendour to hunt for new esports champions.
TEGC – the longest-running esports championships in India – will complete 10 years in 2023, and the celebrations surrounding the coveted championship promises to be bigger, better, and bolder.
On 12 September, Taiwan Excellence (TE) unveiled details of the elimination rounds, the grand finale and other interesting aspects of the sought-after championship at a special press conference held at Four Seasons, Worli, Mumbai.
This year the event will, for the first time, bring together all former TEGC champions from India on one stage. TEGC has also tied up with leading tech influencers to livestream the event, and the same will be available on the TE YouTube handle. A brand-new website was unveiled during the event, signalling the opening of the TEGC registration for gamers with many interesting prizes up for grabs in the finale.
Recognising the immense contribution of women in esports, TEGC announced its plans to have an interesting contest between India’s top 10 female gamers. This battle will play out at the same time as the TEGC grand finale scheduled to be held in November.
TEGC 2023 will also be promoted at several college and gaming festivals where visitors will get a first-hand experience of Made in Taiwan products during the festival period and in another first, TEGC will join hands with an NGO working with underprivileged children as part of its sustainable development goals (SDGs). The tie-up will allow the kids to spend a fun-filled day interacting with influential gamers playing educational games and understanding the importance of sports for their holistic development.
Over the years, TEGC has helped launch the gaming careers of many e-sports enthusiasts across India. Several TEGC champions and participants have represented India at international gaming events, winning laurels for the country.
A report by Mordor Intelligence has estimated that India’s gaming market will grow from $3.02 billion in 2023 to $6.26 billion by 2028, a CAGR of 15.68 per cent during the period.
Speaking at the launch of the tenth edition of TEGC, Taipei World Trade Centre Liaison Office in Mumbai (TAITRA – Mumbai) director Poyi Edison Hsu said, “Esports is not just about gaming, it is a passion, a career and a way of life for some of the brightest minds in this country,”.
“From 500 participants at its debut, the TEGC has come a long way with the 10th edition expected to have over 25,000 young Indian gamers battling it out to be the champion,” said Edison.
Terming TEGC’s tenth edition as ‘extra special’, he added, “To celebrate 10 years of TEGC, the grand finale will see all former TEGC champions on one platform. For the first time, the TEGC finale will also have a special event to acknowledge women power in esports with India’s top 10 women gamers showcasing their gaming prowess.”
Commenting on the future of esports in the country, Edison said, “India’s demographic advantage, growing IT infrastructure and resultant internet and smartphone penetration augurs well for the future of the gaming industry.”
The event also gives gamers and visitors a chance to delve deep into Taiwan’s formidable gaming technology and gadgets. During the event, leading brands displayed the best of products such as AORUS, AROMASE, CyberPower, D-Link, MSI, Predator, Republic of Gamers, Thermaltake, VICTOR, and Zyxel among others.
Should you require any further details, please visit the official website: https://tegamingcup.in/
Gaming
S8ul wins India qualifier for Pokémon Unite Worlds 2026
Fourth qualification; to compete for $500,000 in San Francisco 28–30 Aug.
MUMBAI: If consistency were a power-up, S8ul would be permanently maxed out. S8ul has once again stamped its authority on India’s Pokémon Unite scene, clinching the India Qualifier for the World Championship Series 2026 and booking a spot at the global finals in San Francisco. The win marks a record fourth appearance for S8ul at the world championship, more than any other Indian team. Even more telling: across five Indian qualifiers held so far, the team has now won four, underlining a grip on the title that looks less like dominance and more like routine.
The road to qualification was clinical. Playing a double-elimination format, S8ul swept past Anti Secure, GodLike and Team QML with identical 2-0 victories in the upper bracket. The final hurdle, however, demanded nerve. In a best-of-five grand final, they edged out Revenant XSpark 3-2 in a tightly fought series.
Led by captain Manmohan Singh (All Might), alongside Anklesh Satelkar (Novaa), Darshan Nate (Kai), Naitik Jain (Wolf) and Md Sarim Hasan (Qing), the team combined composure with adaptability two traits that have become their trademark in high-pressure matches.
For their victory, S8ul secured $15,000 (approximately Rs 14.1 lakh) from the qualifier’s $25,000 prize pool (around Rs 23.5 lakh). The bigger prize, however, awaits, a shot at the $500,000 (roughly Rs 4.7 crore) global pool at the World Championships, scheduled from August 28 to 30.
The result adds to what has already been a packed trophy cabinet in 2026. S8ul’s BGMI roster lifted the BGIS 2026 title, its Valorant squad won VCSA Split 1, and its Apex Legends team delivered a top-five finish at the ALGS 2026 Championship, the best-ever by an Indian organisation. Even beyond esports, Grandmaster Nihal Sarin’s Menorca Open win adds to the collective momentum.
With selection as one of 40 global Club Partners by the Esports Foundation for the Esports World Cup 2026, S8ul is now eyeing qualification across 13 titles, ranging from Apex Legends and BGMI to Street Fighter 6 and Trackmania.
For now, though, all roads lead to San Francisco. And if past form is any indicator, S8UL won’t just be showing up, they’ll be showing up to win.
