New Delhi — Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi told The Times of India that while India has earned a reputation as a “chess powerhouse,” the country remains distant from establishing a comparable status in esports.
Gujrathi, a six‑time national champion who recently broke into the world’s top‑50 rankings, said the sport’s growth is hampered by limited infrastructure, insufficient corporate sponsorship, and a lack of clear pathways for professional gamers. He noted that chess benefits from a long‑standing institutional framework, including school‑level tournaments and government‑backed training academies, which esports has yet to replicate.
“Chess has decades of support from schools, federations and sponsors. Esports is still trying to find that footing in India,” Gujrathi said, according to the interview. He added that the sector’s rapid global expansion has not translated into a robust domestic ecosystem, citing the scarcity of dedicated arenas and professional leagues.
The grandmaster also pointed to regulatory uncertainty as a barrier. Recent discussions in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology about classifying competitive gaming as a sport have stalled, creating hesitation among potential investors.
Despite the challenges, Gujrathi expressed optimism that the growing popularity of games such as Valorant and PUBG could eventually spur greater investment. He urged policymakers to develop clear guidelines, improve broadband access in tier‑2 and tier‑3 cities, and encourage private‑sector partnerships to nurture talent.
Analysis:
Gujrathi’s remarks highlight a broader tension in India’s sports ecosystem, where traditional disciplines benefit from established governance structures while emerging sectors like esports lack coordinated support. The grandmaster’s call for clearer regulation aligns with recent government reviews of digital entertainment, suggesting that policy shifts could be pivotal for the industry’s growth. However, without concrete funding mechanisms and grassroots development programs, India may continue to lag behind countries such as South Korea and the United States, where esports enjoys strong institutional backing and commercial investment.
Sources
– “Vidit Gujrathi Exclusive: ‘India is a chess powerhouse but still far from becoming esports hub’,” The Times of India, Google News India – Sports, https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi-AFBVV95cUxPd3VoQjZESFJCWTJKUng5bzhKeWxBSzlFNmY5d291RDFNTGN0dE9za29wZFFaMi14WHF4WnhrTU5nQWtEcmxDTlZDOFR0RmxRaVg3RkJNclp4OGlZSDRHd0twNEUxQ2M2Z0Jwd05YX2lZSlhoa01aNmFvRC1aSFRBblJRZmZUUS02Ri05NVZOZU9Xdm94ZDhhQUt6dTBGNGhDLWhiNnJWcnVobWpzZFBmT2pUYVZIQkhMbF9PX21yZzdBdUxyVl9SRU9sYUotUkxGWjFiVnIyWjE4WjJIYkx5WnhYQWRScFhsbXBtczR0OUNLM0o2M3NxdQ?oc=5
Story synopsis gathered from: Google News India – Sports — source
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