NEW DELHI: In a landmark move for India’s rapidly evolving esports ecosystem, Skyesports, one of the country’s leading esports and gaming IP organisations, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) to integrate esports into the nation’s academic and professional framework.
The signing took place at the Annual General Meeting of the Indian Digital Gaming Society (IDGS) — held in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting — where the society also announced its rebranding to the Indian Digital Gaming & Esports Society (IDGES).
The rebrand reflects India’s sharpened focus on esports within the broader AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality) sector.
Under the MoU, Skyesports and IICT will collaborate across six major areas:
- Esports Curriculum and Training: Co-developing academic and professional programs on tournament management, production, game strategy, shoutcasting, and player well-being.
- Student Engagement: Offering internships, volunteering, and live project opportunities for IICT students through tournaments and events.
- Joint Events: Co-hosting tournaments, hackathons, and innovation challenges to identify and nurture fresh talent.
- Research and Policy Advocacy: Conducting studies on esports’ socio-economic impact and promoting responsible growth.
- Infrastructure Support: Guiding the setup of esports arenas, broadcast studios, and gaming labs.
- Incubation and Start-ups: Providing mentorship, industry exposure, and growth support for emerging gaming ventures.
Speaking about the collaboration, Shiva Nandy, Founder and CEO of Skyesports, said:
“At Skyesports, our mission has always been to create opportunities — from grassroots tournaments that gave aspiring players their first stage, to working with governments on inclusive policies for esports. This collaboration with IICT, signed at the IDGS AGM as India sharpens its focus on esports, is the next step in that journey. Together, we will take our experience into academia, build structured pathways, and deliver sustainable careers for the next wave of Indian talent.”
The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT), unveiled by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting earlier this year at WAVES 2025, is envisioned as a National Centre of Excellence for the AVGC-XR sector — positioned as an IIT/IIM equivalent for creative technologies.
Dr. Vishhwas Deosskar, CEO of IICT, emphasized the academic importance of the initiative:
“At IICT, we believe the future of education lies in aligning academia with emerging industries. This collaboration with Skyesports allows us to integrate esports into our curriculum, giving students hands-on exposure, research opportunities, and pathways to global careers. Together, we aim to position India not just as a participant but as a leader in the global esports and gaming ecosystem.”
The MoU will remain effective for one year, with an option for renewal based on mutual agreement.
Building upon its strong grassroots legacy, Skyesports has been instrumental in organizing open-for-all community tournaments and long-running esports IPs that have empowered budding talent. The company has also worked closely with government bodies, notably contributing to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Trophy and hosting the Chennai Esports Global Championship (CEGC), further cementing esports’ recognition within India’s AVGC-XR policy framework.
