Participants at the Hornbill E-sports Festival Season 2, which commenced at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima on December 8. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | December 8
Hornbill E-sports Festival Season 2 under the aegis of the Department of Youth Resources & Sports, Nagaland in association with E-Sports Association of Nagaland (ESAN) commenced at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima on December 8.
Gracing the opening ceremony, Abu Metha, Advisor to Chief Minister of Nagaland and vice president of the Athletics Federation of India, assured that the government will give all support to make E-Sports event bigger, “so that Nagaland becomes a center for E-sports, not only nationally, but international event in the years to come.”
He lauded the Department of Youth Resources & Sports for taking up E- Sports event.
Today, E-Sports is an area you cannot undermine, he said adding that E-Sports has become a billion dollar industry.
Stating that E-Sports has become a part and parcel of today’s modern day life, Metha said “Government of Nagaland, under the Department of Youth Affairs & Sports, realizing this reality, has taken up this initiative as we do not want our youth, we do not want our youngsters to miss out on the opportunities of this multi-billion dollar industry.”
Stating that the government is not undermining E-Sports sector, he said “The government understands the reality, and the government is moving with the times.”
I assure you that in the years to come, in the months to come, it will get bigger in Nagaland and in India, Metha said.
“E-Sports is not only about enjoyment, but it is also about career prospects,” he said adding that young people are earning money, making a living out of it throughout the world.
Delivering welcome address, Kethosituo Sekhose, Director, Youth Resources & Sports, Nagaland underscored E-Sports as an emerging global industry and a potential contributor to Viksit Bharat 2047.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by Naroenla, Youth Resources Officer.
This year edition has expanded with new game titles and a higher prize pool, which has increased from Rs. 6 lakh to Rs. 10 lakh.
The featured titles include BGMI (Battlegrounds Mobile India), Mobile Legends (a new addition), and individual categories such as E-Chess, E-Football and FC25.
This year’s edition registered participants from Mizoram, Bihar, Manipur, Kerala, Assam, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh including Nagaland.
The festival, to conclude on December 9, will also witness E-sports Music Festival, featuring Polar Lights and Abdon Mech from Nagaland, Guru Gee (Mizoram) and Zephyrtone (Pune).
