In a thrilling showcase of skill and strategy, India’s talented athletes from the Asian Games 2022 excelled at the National Esports Championships / NESC 2024, organized by the Esports Federation of India (ESFI). Their stellar performance secured a resounding victory, propelling them to the regional qualifiers for the prestigious 16th World Esports Championships (WEC) set to unfold in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
NESC 2024: Asian Games athletes dominate DOTA 2 finals; advance to regional qualifiers for 16th World Esports Championships in Riyadh
Team Whoops Shines Bright in DOTA 2 Arena
Team Whoops, a formidable squad comprising members who represented India at the Asian Games 2022 and clinched the bronze medal at the Commonwealth Esports Championships 2022, displayed sheer dominance in the DOTA 2 competition at NESC 2024. Led by the adept captain Krish Gupta (Krish’), supported by Ketan Goyal (Evil-Ash), Manav Kunte (Mnz), Vishal Vernekar (HBK), and Moin Ejaz (No_Chanc3), along with substitutes Darshan Bata (A35) and Dennis Shah (Donniz), Team Whoops secured a commanding 46-8 victory against Rogue Squad in the final. This triumph catapulted them to the regional qualifiers of DOTA 2, scheduled for online battles from June 26 to 30.
Expressing his elation, Captain Krish Gupta shared, “We are thrilled to represent Team India once again at the World Esports Championships. Thanks to ESFI for this opportunity and heartfelt gratitude to all our supporters. We are determined to make our nation proud!”
CS:2 Showdown Unveils Champions Across Categories
The NESC 2024 also witnessed intense competition in Counter-Strike 2 (CS:2) across open and female brackets, alongside eFootball tournaments. In the CS:2 Open category, teams like Carnival Gaming, Marcos Gaming, and Grayfox clashed fiercely, culminating in a hard-fought final where team Gods Reign emerged victorious. Led by skipper Bhavesh Sejwani (Bhavi) and boasting talents like Aakash Bose (Ph1NNN) and Harsh Jain (f1redup), Gods Reign secured a decisive 2-1 win against True Rippers, earning their ticket to the regional qualifiers from July 1 to 4. Captain Bhavesh Sejwani expressed his excitement, stating, “We are thrilled to have clinched the championship at NESC 2024 CS2. Our sights are now set on showcasing Indian CS on the global stage.”
In the CS:2 Female category, Team CCL emerged triumphant as they defeated Team Purr-ple 3-1 in a riveting final. With star players like Swayambika Sachar (Sway), Dilraj Kaur Matharu (COCO), and Aastha Nangia (Crackshot), Team CCL is set to compete in the regional qualifiers from July 3 to 6. Captain Swayambika Sachar reflected on their victory, highlighting the team’s dedication and determination to excel on the international esports stage.
eFootball Excellence and Beyond
While the eFootball category saw gripping contests with seasoned players like Charanjot Singh and Ibrahim Gulrez, it was veteran Hemanth Kommu (peshemak7) who emerged victorious with a 2-0 win against Abhishek Dhar (Abhishades) in the finale. Hemanth expressed his joy and commitment, emphasizing his focus on the upcoming world championship where he aims to make India proud with his skills and determination.
As the journey unfolds towards the World Esports Championships 2024, these talented athletes are poised to showcase their prowess on a global platform, representing India with pride and passion. The road ahead promises fierce competition, strategic gameplay, and the pursuit of excellence as they vie for top honors amidst the best in esports from around the world.
ESFI, in collaboration with dedicated partners like Artsmith-Concepts & Visions, stands committed to supporting these exceptional athletes, providing the resources and encouragement they need to shine on the international esports stage. With the fervent support of the nation behind them, these champions are primed to make India proud and leave an indelible mark in the esports realm.
The National Esports Championships 2024 brought together 135 athletes from across the country, showcasing the evolving landscape of esports talent and the bright future that lies ahead for Indian esports on the global stage.
