Sirish Singaram, President, E-Sports Association of Tamil Nadu.
There has been a spectacular evolution of ‘Esports’ in Tamil Nadu with the state speedily becoming one of the competitive gaming centres. The Electronic Sports Association of Tamil Nadu (ESAT), the apex body for Esports in the state, is at the forefront of this movement, committed as it is to the legitimization and promotion of Esports in the region. Under the guidance of its President, Sirish Singaram, ESAT has been able to create in-school curricular space for games, organise better tournaments, and forward demands for state recognition of Esports. With the vision of making Tamil Nadu the “Esports capital of India”, ESAT is trying hard to pave the way by providing budding gamers with good infrastructure, training, and opportunities.
In this exclusive interview, Sirish Singaram traces the growth of Esports in Tamil Nadu, the challenges faced, and how it can become a leader in Esports in the future.
What is the primary mission and vision of ESAT?
ESAT was formed in 2023 to legitimise Esports in Tamil Nadu and help establish it as a leader. The main mission of ESAT is to develop and promote Esports in the region and eventually make Tamil Nadu the ‘Esports capital of India’. To achieve this, a combination of training, curriculum integration of Esports in schools, organising regular tournaments, and the general development of infrastructural support systems for the whole esport industry is being undertaken.
How has the Esports scene in Tamil Nadu evolved in recent years?
Esports has emerged as one of the fastest growing sports in the state with greater accessibility and larger awareness. With its official recognition as a sport, its inclusion in the Asian Games, and the coming Esports Olympics this year, the Esports scene in Tamil Nadu has never been more alive. With the support of SDAT and the Tamil Nadu Government, it is bound to develop further and its future is assured.
Pictures from the CM Trophy 2024, Event by: Sport Development Authority of Tamil Nadu. All images sourced from: E-Sports Association of Tamil Nadu.
What are the popular Esports titles played in Tamil Nadu?
The Esports are BGMI, EA FC 25, Pokemon Unite, Valorant, and Free Fire.
What are the biggest challenges faced by Esports players in Tamil Nadu?
The major challenges are the lack of infrastructure and mass acceptance of Esports as a legitimate sport. Many still confuse real-money gaming in cyberspace with Esports which is skill-based competitive sports and not gambling. With Esports still in the evolving stage in India, grassroots-level athletes hardly get any support from corporates for sponsorships, scholarships, or funding. Apart from this lack of funding, another major issue is the non-availability of proper training and lack of Esports academies, which further inhibits skill development. Most of the players and their families do not know about Esports career opportunities such as professional gaming, coaching, content creation, and game development.
How is the association working towards overcoming these challenges?
ESAT is working to mitigate the obstacles through grassroots programmes, enhancing Esports awareness, and campaigning for other recognitions of the sport. It conducts tournaments regularly, trains competitive players, and is working towards establishing an Esports academy for their support. Besides that, we are trying our best to put in place a competent regulatory framework and policies that would protect players while ensuring professional pathways and simultaneously attract investments into Tamil Nadu so that it becomes the Esports hub in India.
School Esports Outreach program: Students from Kanadukathan Muthiah Subbiah Chettiar Girls School (KMSC).
How does ESAT support aspiring athletes?
One of the major initiatives of ESAT is taking Esports to the grassroots and school settings. We work intensively in rural schools to educate and empower children about Esports. ESAT has successfully incorporated Esports into rural schools as an after-school programme, and we are continuously working on its expansion to include more schools. This initiative not only lends credibility to Esports but allows parents to learn about its benefits. The youth are made aware of career options within the Esports industry, other than playing. The training includes teaching fundamental Esports skills. The students have really taken to the programme, and many have already participated in the tournaments that we host.
Are there any plans to build an official Esports arena and training centres in Tamil Nadu?
Yes, we would like to establish Dedicated Esports High-Performance Centres (ESPCs equipped with high-end gaming PCs, consoles, and peripherals) across the state providing access to high-quality gaming equipment and top-tier trainers. These Performance Centres will act as centres of excellence for Esports training and help nurture local talent.
What are the major Esports tournaments organised by ESAT?
The Chief Minister’s Trophy 2024, the official state games of Tamil Nadu, was organized by ESAT in collaboration with the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT). Off-line events are held at least once every month, where games of various categories – wrestling, fighting, and FPS – come into the spotlight. Besides, monthly online BGMI Showdowns have become a staple for the gaming communities, and, together with local developers, we showcase the games they have made. This project nurtures the growth of home-grown games, developed in India, for a global audience.
What are ESAT’s future plans for the growth of Esports in Tamil Nadu?
ESAT is geared towards creating an Esports infrastructure through the state with comprehensive training centres, gaming hubs, and Esports arenas to train aspiring players. We want Esports to be a part of the school-curriculum allowing students to learn and participate right from the beginning. We intend to use schools and colleges as an awareness-raising and participation-increasing medium for Esports. In addition, large-scale tournaments will continue to be held, both online and offline, for local players to get the much-needed exposure and experience. Partnership building with global Esports bodies for national and international contests in Tamil Nadu remains our main focus to get this state on the map in the Esports ecosystem.
In the next five years, I see Tamil Nadu emerging as the leader of Esports in India. I envisage our players participating in major tournaments worldwide, representing our state and our country with pride, with the help of the State government.
What is your advice to young aspiring gamers wanting to enter the competitive Esports industry?
Commitment, discipline, and lifelong learning are the key ingredients for young aspiring gamers. They must approach it with dedication, concentrate on continuous practice, and improve their skills. Networking is very important to get involved in local tournaments, to connect with other gamers, and to join Esports communities. Don’t focus only on gameplay; try to learn about its related facets too like game strategy, content creation, streaming, and even coaching. There are many career paths in Esports. Stay positive, stay disciplined, and above all, keep moving, even if obstacles come in your way! ESAT will help you grow in Esports and in your journey on board.
Our aim is to build a stronger ecosystem for the game. Initiatives focusing on strategy, grassroots programmes, and infrastructure are all in place for the next generation of Esports players. Supported by the state government and other stakeholders, Tamil Nadu is well on its way to becoming a national and global leader in Esports. With plenty of support and opportunities, players from Tamil Nadu may rewrite the rules of the game on the global stage, showing that professional gaming is not a simple pastime but a lucrative and promising career option.
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Interview with Sirish Singaram, the President of the Electronic Sports Association of Tamil Nadu.