IANS | 12 Apr, 2024
The conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and some of the
leading young gamers in the country is not only an acknowledgment of
the importance of the growing sector but also encourages youth to look
at it as a viable career option, industry leaders said on Friday.
Creators
like Animesh Agarwal, Mithilesh Patankar, Payal Dhare, Naman Mathur,
and Anshu Bisht have met PM Modi and discussed the rise of the e-gaming
industry.
"Gaming is immensely popular among the youth of our
country. By interacting with the top gamers of our country, PM Modi has
inspired the young gamers of our country to pursue it as a viable career
option as well," said Parth Chadha, Co-founder and CEO of gaming
startup STAN.
As gaming is also an important part of the digital
landscape and by engaging with the gamers, PM Modi is also showcasing
how gaming is an important contributor to the economy, he added.
The
country currently has a gaming audience of around 450-550 million
players. In FY23, the Indian gaming industry generated $3.1 billion in
revenue.
Lokesh Suji, Director, Esports Federation of India and
Vice President of the Asian Esports Federation (AESF), said that meeting
PM Modi is a dream come true for our gamers and E-sports athletes.
"Last
year, our government recognised E-sports as a sport and differentiated
it from the umbrella term of online gaming. We look forward to PM Modi
and his government's consistent support to grow the Indian E-sports
ecosystem," said Suji.
