India’s star-studded League of Legends team sets sail for Asian Games 2022

Indian League of Legends players have left for Hangzhou to compete at the next Asian Games 2022 as the best team from Central and South Asia in their respective divisions.

The outstanding team, led by Akshaj Shenoy (Kai), and made up of Samarth Arvind Trivedi (CrankO), Mihir Ranjan (Lotus), Sanindhya Malik (Deadcorp), Aakash Shandilya (Infi), and Aditya Selvaraj (Krow), won the recently held Central and South Asia seeding competition and secured the top seed for the 19th Asian Games. The League of Legends matchups in the competition will start with a group-round-robin style, then the quarterfinals, semifinals, and championship match, all of which are set for September 29.

19 illustrious League of Legends teams from across the globe will compete against one another for the chance to win a historic medal at the competition. The gold medal and bronze medal matches will be played in the Best of 5 format, while all matches up until the final will be played in the Best of 3 style.

Sharing his thoughts on the tournament, Akshaj Shenoy, skipper of the League of Legends squad stated, “Representing India on this grand stage is an honor for each and every one of us. The journey to Hangzhou right from the national qualifiers has been one of dedication and hard work, and now, as the top team from Central and South Asia, we are determined to make our nation proud. I would like to express my gratitude to ESFI for making all of this possible and providing us with not only top-quality gaming gear but also the right guidance and coaching to strengthen our chances of bringing home that medal. Our sights are set on creating history for India.”

The team won the National Esports Championships (NESC) finals held by the Esports Federation of India (ESFI) last year, earning them a spot in the Asian Games 2022. Recently, ESFI teamed with FITGMR Inc, an Esports technology and training company, to offer elite in-game coaching and performance training to its athletes in an effort to ensure that the squad plays to the best of its abilities.

Under the direction of their coach Samuel Boudrie nicknamed Boc, the League of Legends squad underwent a demanding four-month thorough training program as part of the association, which further enhanced the team’s caliber and proficiency as a whole. The team’s performance at the competition will be aided by the coach, who has experience working with the Esports organization Cloud9.

“Our League of Legends team is one of the best in Asia and their exemplary performance at the seeding event was a testament to their prowess. We believe they have what it takes to excel in Hangzhou and make India shine on the international Esports scene. I extend my best wishes for the team to give their best and reign supreme,” said Lokesh Suji, Director, Esports Federation of India & Vice President of the Asian Esports Federation (AESF).

The Asian Games in 2022 will mark Esports’ official medal sport debut after it was featured as a showcase event in 2018. Athletes will fight for gold medals in seven different categories at the Esports tournament, which will take place from September 24 to October 2 at the China Hangzhou Esports Centre.

However, India will take part in four of the seven games, including Street Fighter V: Champion Edition, League of Legends, EA Sports FC Online, and DOTA 2. On September 22, a formal draw will be held to choose the dates and opponents for the games for all four titles.

Street Fighter V: Champion Edition matches are slated for September 26–28, while EA Sports FC Online matches will begin on September 24. Gamedays for DOTA 2 are scheduled for September 29 to October 2.

-IANS