Hangzhou Asian Games 2022 kicks off this month after being postponed from last year. For those who do not know, esports is making a debut as a full-medal sport during this iteration of the competition and India will be sending their contingent to participate across the titles included in the tournament. It has just been revealed that India’s FIFA participants have already departed for their competition.
The esports athletes who will be representing the country at the Hangzhou Asian Games 2022 are Charanjit Singh and Karman Singh. The duo will be battling it out in EA Sports FC Online between September 24 and September 27. Asian Games 2022 will be kicking off on September 24 and end on October 2 and there are 7 esports titles included in the competition.
Here’s our #ESports team for the @19thAGofficial. E-sports is making a debut at the #AsianGames as a medal event this year! Join in as we cheer for our athletes and #TeamIndia 🇮🇳#WeAreTeamIndia | #Cheer4India pic.twitter.com/sQQkvOHUYv
— Team India (@WeAreTeamIndia) September 9, 2023
Both athletes have been at the top of their game ahead of the tournament, performing well in the seeding phase with Charanjit Singh securing top speed and Karman Singh securing fifth seed. They were able to make it to this stage in the Asian Games 2022 by advancing to the finals of the National Esports Championships, held before the Asian Games 2022. Check out what Charanjit Singh had to say ahead of the competition:
“As the tournament draws nearer, it feels surreal that the dream of representing India at the Asian Games 2022 is finally becoming a reality. Both Karman and I have been training relentlessly to showcase our skills on this platform against the continent’s finest players. We are determined to make our country proud and bring home a historic medal.”
Out of the 7 esports titles, the Indian contingent will be participating only in four of these, including Dota 2, EA Sports FC Online, League of Legends, and Street Fighter V: Champion Edition. The official draw to decide the fixtures for these four titles will be kept on September 22. EA Sports FC is taking place in knockout format, with the finals scheduled for September 27, where 34 athletes from 21 countries will participate.
Post EA Sports FC Online, League of Legends will take place between September 25-29, followed by Street Fighter V: Champion Edition between September 26 and 28, and ending with Dota 2 between September 29 and October 2. Here’s what Karman Singh commented ahead of the competition:
“The Asian Games 2022 is a massive opportunity for Indian Esports to announce itself as a powerhouse on the global stage. I feel honored to be one of the first athletes carrying the nation’s flag at Esports’ maiden appearance as a medal sport at the tournament. We would like to thank ESFI for not just providing us with the opportunity to represent our country but also providing us with ample support including the best-in-class gaming gear to make sure we are ready to give our best in Hangzhou. We are ready to take on the tough competition and give our best to achieve success.”
“The Love We Share,” the official theme song of the Hangzhou Asian Games, is on the air in Hangzhou’s Linping. Check it out! #Hangzhou #AsianGames #TheLoveWeShare #ThemeSong #Linping #HangzhouAsianGames pic.twitter.com/ExmQ5Kiv2h
— 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 Official (@19thAGofficial) September 19, 2023
Here’s what Lokesh Suji, Director of Esports Federation of India and Vice President of the Asian Esports Federation (AESF) stated:
“With the Asian Games 2022 just around the corner, we are excited to witness the performances of our talented athletes who have put in remarkable efforts to reach this stage. Charanjot and Karman have both performed brilliantly in the seeding event and we are confident that they will replicate those performances in the main event to ensure India bags not one but two medals in EA Sports FC Online. Everyone at ESFI wishes them the best of luck in their pursuit of glory.”
