New Delhi: INOX Leisure, the Indian multiplex chain, has announced a tie-up with Esports Federation of India (ESFI) to host and promote esports tournaments across the country, according to media reports.
From now on, fans of esports can watch tournaments on big screens at INOX facilities.
INOX has been named the official cinema partner for the ESFI. The multiplex operator will help ESFI host viewing parties and esports events at multiplexes in India.
According to INOX, this will help take the game to a wider audience by letting people not only play tournaments through the year at select cinema venues but also for fans to come and watch the tournaments at their venues.
This is INOX’s first venture into esports, however, the brand is a known partner for a number of Indian sports teams and organisations. INOX is also a long-term partner of the Indian Olympic Association and operates more than 150 multiplexes in 71 cities across the country.
INOX said it had been supporting Indian sports through collaborations in the past. It has also screened and marketed other sporting tournaments like the ICC World Cup and Olympics 2020. This deal will enable cinemas as venues to host esports tournaments, stream live tournaments, provide training opportunities, and offer a talent scouting platform for future global events.
In October last year, its rival PVR had announced a collaboration with a home-grown esports firm Nodwin Gaming to stream similar events in its theatres.
According to the reports, INOX CEO Alok Tandon said their cinemas were present in 'urbane and youth-centric locations' and that will contribute heavily to the growth in esports. He added that their screens and local area facilities are technologically sound enough to host such events.
Lokesh Suji, director of EFSI and the vice-president of the Asian Esports Federation, said many top esports talents come from tier-II and III cities and this will help hone their talent and bring it to the fore.