KRAFTON, the South Korean video game developer, set the stage for an exhilarating display of Esports talent as the India-Korea Invitational kicked off today at Pragati Maidan, Delhi. This event has brought together eight talented Indian teams, including the recent BGIS 2023 winners, to face off against top-tier Korean teams. The battle unfolded with immense intensity and precision, offering a platform for Indian Esports athletes to compete against leading global counterparts and hone their skills.
The opening ceremony was graced by distinguished dignitaries, notably Chang Jae-bok, Korean Ambassador to India, Nivruti Rai, MD and CEO of Invest India, Shiv Sharma, Deputy Director General, Sports Authority of India, and Piyush Jain, Governing Board Member of Sports Authority of India, underscoring the event’s significance. The Korean Ambassador passionately emphasized India’s ascent as an Esports hub and the worldwide recognition of Esports as a cultural phenomenon. As a token of appreciation, KRAFTON India CEO, Sean Hyunil Sohn, presented the Korean Ambassador and other esteemed guests with a thoughtfully crafted India-Korea stationery box, a product created in Korea by individuals with special abilities.
Reflecting on the opening day, Sean Hyunil Sohn, CEO of KRAFTON India, expressed, “The India-Korea Invitational has commenced with a resounding start, heralding the beginning of a spectacular showcase of talent and competition. Both countries are united by a common passion for gaming, and at KRAFTON, we are privileged to be able to contribute to the evolution of a holistic gaming ecosystem, reaffirming our commitment to the growth of the global Esports community.”
On the tournament’s first day, 16 teams—eight from India and eight from South Korea—engaged in intense battle, kicking off the competition with fierce battles of BGMI, Road To Valor: Empires, and a real cricket challenge. Indian national football team goalkeeper, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Honourable Member of Parliament from Sirsa, Haryana, Sunita Duggal, also came to boost morale, and extend their support to all the athletes.
Providing a platform for holistic exchange of culture and knowledge, the invitational event also featured exhibits from KRAFTON’s invested entities, such as Bobble AI and Nautilus Mobile, in addition to the participation of other prominent Korean companies. Having launched Bobble Fan Store, their new personalized gifting platform at the IN-KR venue itself, Founder and CEO Ankit Prasad, Bobble AI said “We are excited to be a part of this incredible event, that celebrates the passion and dedication of Esports athletes across countries. This is just the beginning, and together with KRAFTON, we look forward to leveraging our strategic synergy to have a truly meaningful impact on the lives of gamers in India, and bring to them the best of innovation.”
