Chennai – Oct. 18, 2024: In a historic step for Indian esports, the Tamil Nadu government has officially introduced esports as a demonstration event in the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Trophy Games 2024. Organized by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) in partnership with Esports Association of Tamil Nadu and Thamizh Esports Association, this initiative showcases the government's commitment to supporting the growing field of esports alongside traditional sports.
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Trophy is a prestigious event designed to nurture grassroots talent in a variety of sports. The decision to include esports comes at a time when the popularity of competitive gaming has soared globally, with its inclusion in events like the Asian Games and plans for a standalone Olympic Esports Games in 2025.
Esports Test Event Features Eight Skill-Based Games
The esports segment of the Tamil Nadu CM Trophy will feature eight skill-based games spanning across mobile, console, and PC platforms. Here’s the full list:
- Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI)
- Pokemon UNITE
- Real Cricket 2024
- EA FC 2024
- NBA 2K25
- eChess
- Street Fighter 6
- F1 2024
These games cover a diverse range of genres from multiplayer battle arenas to simulation sports, ensuring wide participation across the gaming community.
Open for All: Qualifiers and Finale
Registration for the esports event is open to all eligible gamers in Tamil Nadu. The competition begins with online qualifiers, where participants will compete for a chance to enter the on-ground grand finale in Chennai, set for October 20, 2024. The event aims to bring together over 100,000 players through qualifiers and a viewership of 1.5 million esports enthusiasts.
A Vision for the Future of Indian Esports
According to officials from the Tamil Nadu Sports Department, this inclusion reflects the state's forward-thinking approach to both youth engagement and the future of sports. “With esports now featured in global events like the Asian Games and soon to be part of a standalone IOC event, we aim to incorporate esports permanently in the 2025 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Trophy," said a spokesperson for SDAT.
By taking this step, Tamil Nadu is positioning itself as a leader in fostering new talent in both traditional sports and the evolving world of esports.