The Hornbill Festival, a cultural extravaganza celebrating Nagaland’s heritage, took a modern twist this year with the launch of the 1st Hornbill Esports Championship 2024. The event, held at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima, marks the state’s entry into the fast-evolving esports arena.
Organized by the Department of Youth Resources & Sports in collaboration with LVL UP Consultancy, the championship featured three popular games: Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), DOTA 2, and FC24 (FIFA). Participants from across the country competed in these categories, with 16 teams in BGMI, five teams in DOTA 2, and 32 players in FIFA.
The championship also offered an impressive prize pool: Rs 3.50 lakh for BGMI, Rs 2 lakh for DOTA 2, and Rs 50,000 for FIFA. Additionally, a special Most Valuable Player (MVP) award of Rs 5000 was introduced for BGMI, further motivating players to excel.
Kethosituo Sekhose, Director of Youth Resources & Sports, emphasized that this championship is a stepping stone towards positioning Nagaland in the global esports scene. He highlighted the potential of esports to inspire and empower the youth, blending technology and sports to create meaningful opportunities.
The Growing Esports Industry
Globally, esports is expected to generate over $1.8 billion in revenue by 2025, with a massive audience of 640 million enthusiasts. In India, the market is booming, with an anticipated growth of 46% annually, surpassing Rs 11 billion by 2025.
Nagaland’s foray into esports aligns with these trends, positioning the state as a hub for future talent and innovation. With aspirations for international competitions like the Esports Olympics 2025, the Hornbill Esports Championship is a bold move toward building a thriving digital economy.
Source: Gaming Foodle
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