Esports & Gaming

Following BGMI ban ESPL forced to put Season 2 on hold

This year the Esports Premier League (ESPL) has been engaging gamers from across the country in high-voltage action of the battle royale game, Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), which carries a massive prize pool of INR 1 crore. After a month of riveting action, packed with rivalries, gripping moments and thrilling finishes, the top sixteen teams were franchised and were set to fight in a grand LAN finale from 1st to 5th August 2022.

But following the removal of BGMI from the Google Play Store and App Store, ESPL decided to postpone the matches of the LAN Finals. Following is their statement for the press:

“As you would know, pursuant to a ban placed by the Government of India in the exercise of its powers under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, (as was widely reported in the news), the Battlegrounds Mobile India gaming application has been removed from Google Play Store and Apple App Store on 28th July 2022. As we understand, the entities concerned will evaluate/ pursue the matter in accordance with the directions issued by the Government of India.

We are therefore constrained to put the ESPL Season 2, on hold, in light of the government’s directions and the prevailing circumstances. This is an unfortunate situation for all esports enthusiasts, and also a huge setback for India Today Gaming, at this stage of the tournament. However, upon closure of the matter favourably, we intend to renew the ESPL from the stage where we are leaving it now, which means that the selected finalist teams will be invited again to take the tournament forward for the Finals.

We would like to thank all the ESPL Season 2 participants, and the gaming community spread across the country, for supporting the tournament and India Today Gaming. We look forward to welcoming you.”

Navanwita Bora Sachdev

Navanwita is the editor of The Tech Panda who also frequently publishes stories in news outlets such as The Indian Express, Entrepreneur India, and The Business Standard

Recent Posts

Disrupting Fintech: How product studios are transforming financial services

In the rapidly evolving financial technology landscape, innovative product studios are emerging as powerful catalysts…

1 day ago

Harnessing the power of AI: Preparing today’s workforce for tomorrow’s challenges

In an era defined by rapid technological advancement, Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands as a transformative…

1 day ago

Indian esports makes history at BRICS Esports Championship in Moscow

In a historic moment for Indian esports, Wasfi “YoshiKiller” Bilal secured a silver medal at…

2 days ago

Geek Appeal: New gadgets & apps on the block

The Tech Panda takes a look at recently launched gadgets & apps in the market.…

2 days ago

Ecosystem harkat: India’s Biotech & space tech, early stage tech startups & women entrepreneurs in blockchain

The Tech Panda takes a look at what’s buzzing in the startup ecosystem. The startup…

2 days ago

Harris vs. Trump: Forecasting Bitcoin’s Future in a Post-Election Economy

With just days until the outcome of the U.S. presidential race, Bitcoin enthusiasts across the…

3 days ago