Pune, Feb. 17 -- Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Raksha Nikhil Khadse, hailed the Maharashtra Esports Open Championship 2025 as a historic milestone, while inaugurating the first-ever state-backed tournament.

After being a demonstration sport at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games, esports became a medal sport at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, as per a press release from SAI Media.

The championship, held at the prestigious MIT World Peace University, serves as a landmark moment in the state's sports history and the country's journey into the burgeoning esports industry.

Organised by the Federation of Electronic Sports Associations India (FEAI) and the Maratha Esports Association (MEA), the event will witness 21...