A group of schools based in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India, has introduced esports as a part of its extracurricular activities. Dalimss Sunbeam Group of Schools is introducing esports to improve self-esteem, enable visual-spatial learning and facilitate the development of motor skills and technological proficiency, according to a release. Esports is getting increased recognition in the subcontinent and making it a part of school curriculum can help de-stigmatize it within Indian society.
This is not the first time that Dalimss has shown an interest in esports. The group of schools recently hosted a Minecraft championship in a bid to promote creativity and collaboration within a digital environment.
Esports is not officially included in the academic curriculum at government-owned academic institutions in India. There are very few private academic institutes that offer courses in esports. Currently, Whistling Woods International offers management degrees at the bachelors and masters level for sports and esports. In 2019, Esports organisation Global Esports partnered with Harrisburg University to offer an academic program in esports.
Earlier this month, an Indian Parliament member also talked about the importance of esports and wants it to be recognized officially. In February 2022, Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman revealed that the government wants to focus on Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics (AVGC). During the budget, she said that an AVGC promotion task force, with all stakeholders, will be set up to recommend ways to realize this and build domestic capacity for serving out markets and the global demand.
