In a day that showcased the growing diversity in Indian sports—from professional golf to the rising wave of esports—athletes and gaming talent alike made headlines. While Aditi Ashok finished tied-31st at the Black Desert Championship in Utah, the Indian esports scene celebrated a milestone with its official inclusion as a demonstration sport in the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) 2025.
Aditi Ashok Finishes in Top-35 with Even-Par Round
Indian golfer Aditi Ashok wrapped up her run at the Black Desert Championship in Ivins, Utah with a final round score of even-par 72, finishing tied for the 31st position. Her total score for the week was 10-under par. Despite a few hiccups in her round, including back-to-back bogeys on the 7th and 8th holes, she responded with birdies on the 9th, 11th, and the closing 18th to keep her score steady. Aditi shared the position with Japan’s Mao Saigo, a past major winner on the LPGA circuit.
The tournament was ultimately won by South Korea’s Haeran Ryu, who carded a flawless 8-under 64 in the final round to claim her third LPGA title, finishing five shots ahead of Germany’s Esther Henseleit and China’s Ruoning Yin.
Esports Gains Ground with KIYG Debut
In a historic move for the Indian esports ecosystem, KIYG 2025 will feature esports for the first time as a demonstration event. The competitions, scheduled for May 6 and 7 at the Patliputra Sports Complex, will include titles such as Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), Street Fighter 6, eFootball, and even Chess. This inclusion has been welcomed as a significant step toward formal recognition and infrastructure support for esports in India.
With Chess bridging the gap between classical and digital sports, its appearance alongside traditional video game titles reflects a growing global acceptance of hybrid sports. This initiative follows previous efforts in Bihar and other states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Nagaland to establish grassroots esports programs.
Industry leaders, such as NODWIN Gaming’s Co-founder Akshat Rathee, believe this development is pivotal. He stated that KIYG 2025’s inclusion of esports is not just about competition but about unlocking opportunities for youth in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, paving the way for India’s emergence on the global esports stage.
