President
Tahsin Zahid
CEO, SPEFL-SC
24 years in the development and skills sector. Leads SPEFL-SC under NSDC and MSDE since 2018. A former cricketer and founder Chair for Skills at PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
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About the
Federation
Presented by SPEFL-SC in collaboration with FICCI, Bharat Esports Federation unites India's sports, education, industry and government stakeholders to build a world-class esports ecosystem.
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Our Vision
A future where esports stand shoulder to shoulder with traditional sports, making India a global esports powerhouse.
Bharat Esports Federation (BEF) is presented by the Sports, Physical Education, Fitness and Leisure Skills Council (SPEFL-SC) and is an initiative in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). We are a consortium of sports professionals, institutions, management experts, technology partners and corporate sponsors.
We are building world-class arenas, professional leagues, career pathways and industry partnerships that drive economic growth, nurture talent and power India's digital revolution, elevating esports to the level of traditional sports like cricket.
SPEFL-SC is a not-for-profit organisation established under the aegis of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), Government of India, dedicated to skill-based training in sports, fitness and physical education.
Bharat Esports Federation
SPEFL-SC
Presented under MSDE and NSDC, Government of India
24
State associations across India
10
Dedicated federation committees
Why Now
Esports, Recognised
Esports in India has moved into the mainstream, with growing recognition from government, landmark legislation and global multi-sport events.
01
MYAS
Multi-Sport Event Recognition
Esports has been recognised as a multi-sport event by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and the Ministry of Electronics & IT.
02
2025
Online Gaming Act
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 recognises esports as a legitimate competitive sport, distinct from real-money gaming.
03
2023
Asian Games Medal Event
Esports was an official medal event at the Asian Games 2023, with India competing in League of Legends, Dota 2, eFIFA and Street Fighter V.
04
2027
Olympic Esports
Esports featured as a demonstration event at the Khelo India Youth Games, with the inaugural Olympic Esports Games planned for 2027.
Leadership
Board Members
Leaders from skill development, gaming, sports administration, security and technology, united to build Indian esports.
Vice-President
Roland Landers
CEO, All India Gaming Federation
Over 23 years across media, entertainment and sport, including Chief Brand Officer at Zee Entertainment. Now leads AIGF, the apex body for India's gaming industry.
General Secretary
Pankhuri Gupta
Sports Management & Administration
Leads administration and operations, coordinating with government, sponsors and international federations. Previously led key functions at the Khelo India Youth Games 2021.
Treasurer
Manish Sanghani
Finance & Partnerships
Oversees the federation's financial health, budgets and compliance, and secures sponsorships and partnerships for sustainable growth.
Joint Secretary
Alankrit Kamboj
Sports & Events Management
5+ years delivering national and state events, including the Khelo India Games, National Games and professional cricket leagues.
Lead, Strategy & IR
Col. Savin Sam
Strategy & International Relations
A decorated military professional with 19+ years of service and a UN Force Commander's Commendation, guiding governance, security and player safety.
Lead, Cyber Security
Prof. N K Goyal
Cyber Security & Telecom
52 years in telecom. Founder and Chairman of TEMA and Founder and President of CMAI Association of India.
Industry Expert Icon
Ankur Naik
Emerging Technology
Former ADC to the President, shaping the adoption of AI, blockchain, esports infrastructure and digital platforms in India.
Lead, Esports Curriculum
Gagandeep Oberoi
Curriculum & POSH
Leads the federation's educational and compliance frameworks, digital outreach and player engagement programmes.
Lead, Partnerships & Gender Inclusion
Tripti Khanna
Partnerships & Inclusion
Social development and CSR expert, certified Social Auditor (NIRDPR) and GRI Certified Professional, driving partnerships and equitable representation.
National Sports Code
Built on Six Pillars
of Alignment
BEF's framework aligns with the National Sports Code to build a credible, athlete-first esports ecosystem for India.
01
Recognition & Regulatory Framework
Working with ministries and regulators to establish esports as a recognised, well-governed competitive sport in India.
02
Athlete Welfare & Representation
Fair treatment, wellbeing support and a real voice for players in the decisions that shape their careers.
03
Governance & Ethical Guidelines
Transparent rules, fair play standards and integrity safeguards at every level of competition.
04
Esports as Career & Economic Growth
Professional pathways for players, coaches, casters and creators that grow India's digital economy.
05
Grassroots Development & Talent Nurturing
State-level tournaments and a national player database to discover and develop talent from every region.
06
Inclusivity & Cyber Safety
Safe, secure and welcoming play for every gender, background and ability, with zero tolerance for abuse.
Governance
Our Committees
Ten dedicated committees driving safety, integrity, inclusion and growth across Indian esports.
- POSH & POCSO
- Grassroots & School Integration
- International Relations & Olympic Pathway
- Legal, Regulatory & Integrity
- Startup Innovation & Incubation
- Revenue, PPP & CSR Mobilisation
- Green Esports & Sustainability
- Career Transition & Dual Pathways
- Women & Para Gamers Empowerment
- Sports Science & Performance Analytics
Guidance
Advisory Board
Distinguished leaders from administration, policing, revenue, academia, sport, law and technology.
Shri Neeraj K Pawan, IASSecretary Sports, Rajasthan
Shri Pankaj Nain, IPSSpecial Officer to Hon'ble CM Haryana; IG Ambala Range
Shri Yogendra ChaudharyIRS, 1989 Batch
Mipandeep Singh OberoiSerial Entrepreneur
Shri N K GoyalPresident, Cyber Security Association of India
Shri Roland LandersCEO, All India Gaming Federation
Smt Monika SinghIRS
Shri Rajkamal Yadav, IASMSDE Secretary, Uttar Pradesh
Smt Asmita Lal, IASDM Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh
Shri Rahul Hooda, IASSpecial Secretary to Govt of Haryana, Revenue & Disaster Management
Dr. Puja GuptaProfessor, Delhi University
Smt Dalima ChhibberTeam India, Football
Shri Swastik SinghLegal Consultant
Shri Anshul SinghAI Strategist
What We Do
Building Every Layer
of the Game
From grassroots state tournaments to global stages, BEF builds the structures a professional esports nation needs.
01
Championships & Leagues
State and national championships that give aspiring players an official competitive pathway into professional esports.
02
Skilling & Careers
With SPEFL-SC, designing esports job roles, qualification packs, training of trainers and certification programmes.
03
Policy & Integrity
Policy research, strategic insight and cybersecurity protocols with partners including KPMG India, IGAP, CSAI and AIGF.
04
Talent & Global Pathways
A national player database to scout elite talent and prepare athletes for international competition.
Our Network
State Associations
BEF state associations bring organised, equitable esports to every region of India.
24
States & Union Territories
- Andhra Pradesh
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Bihar
- Chandigarh
- Chhattisgarh
- Dadra Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu
- Delhi
- Gujarat
- Haryana
- Himachal Pradesh
- Jharkhand
- Madhya Pradesh
- Maharashtra
- Manipur
- Nagaland
- Odisha
- Puducherry
- Punjab
- Rajasthan
- Tamil Nadu
- Telangana
- Uttar Pradesh
- Uttarakhand
- West Bengal
Partner Organisations
SPEFL-SCSports, Physical Education, Fitness & Leisure Skills Council
Skilling & Capacity Building
Integrating esports into formal skill development through job roles, qualification packs, training of trainers and certification.
KPMG India
Knowledge Partner & Strategic Advisor
Ecosystem mapping, market intelligence, economic modelling and impact assessment for a scalable, investor-ready federation.
IGAPIndian Governance and Policy Project
Policy Research & Institutional Alignment
Whitepapers, legislative recommendations and stakeholder consultations positioning esports within India's digital economy and youth agenda.
CSAICyber Security Association of India
Digital Safety & Esports Integrity
Cybersecurity protocols, real-time threat intelligence, player data protection and anti-cheating mechanisms.
AIGFAll India Gaming Federation
Industry Standards & Advocacy
Aligning policy frameworks, ethical gameplay and industry-friendly regulation for a recognised esports sector.
Our Ecosystem
NSDC
NCVET
Fit India
NASEF
Gosu AcademyCollaborations in Progress
Coming SoonNASEFNetwork of Academic and Scholastic Esports Federations, using esports to build STEAM, communication and problem-solving skills in students.
Coming SoonGosu AcademyOnline training academy with professional coaches from top-tier global teams, helping competitive players improve and rank up.
Coming SoonAnother WorldBringing esports multiverse setups to India.
Digital Hygiene & Citizenship
Fun, Safe, Fair & Healthy
Our framework to make esports fun, safe, fair and healthy for everyone, from young players to professionals.
01
Safe Play for Kids
- Age checks before entry
- Parents can track time, spending and chats
02
Secure Gaming Accounts
- Two-step login for all players
- Personal data protected on Indian servers
03
Mind & Body Care
- Access to counsellors and mentors
- Reminders for sleep, water and posture
04
Healthy Screen Time
- Breaks during matches
- Daily hour limits for young players
05
Fair Money Use
- No gambling-like loot boxes for kids
- Spending limits and cool-off breaks
06
Respect & Fair Play
- No bullying, hate speech or cheating
- Every player signs a Fair Play Code
07
Learning & Awareness
- "Play Safe, Play Fair" campaigns in schools
- Awards for responsible players and teams
08
Help When Needed
- 24×7 helpline to report abuse or cyber threats
- Independent body to resolve complaints
Talent Identification
The Pathway to Pro
Our tournaments build a national esports player database, the foundation for identifying and developing India's next champions.
01
Level 01
Register
Players register with the federation through BEF tournaments and join the national esports player database.
02
Level 02
Compete at State
Championships in every state ensure equitable representation and uncover grassroots talent from each region.
03
Level 03
Rise to Nationals
The best players from each state advance to national finals, where elite talent is scouted and tracked.
04
Level 04
Represent India
Top athletes are prepared for stages like the Esports World Cup, Olympic Esports Games and Asian Games, with world-class training curricula.
Your Journey Begins
Ready to Represent India?
Join Bharat Esports Federation as a player, team, organiser, institution or partner, and help build India's esports future.