KRAFTON India Esports officially unveiled the inaugural cohort of the BGMI (Battlegrounds Mobile India) Rising Stars 2025 program during the opening day of the BGIS Grand LAN Finals 2025 in Kolkata. The tournament features 16 top teams competing for a massive prize pool of INR 3.2 crore.
About the BGMI Rising Stars Program:
This ambitious initiative aims to boost Indiaās esports ecosystem by identifying, nurturing, and supporting emerging esports talent nationwide. The first cohort consists of eight promising players chosen for their potential to become the future stars of Indian esports.
Members of the 1st BGMI Rising Stars 2025 Cohort:
- Shiraj Thapa
- Kunal Bhaskar
- Thongzalaikam Haokip
- Paridhi Gupta
- Oleed F
- Samihan Kulkarni
- Saumya Raj
- Anand Aman
Karan Pathak, Associate Director ā Esports at KRAFTON India, emphasized:
āBGMI Rising Stars 2025 is a celebration of passion, potential, and the future of Indian esports. Itās not just about identifying talentāitās about supporting it with intent, helping them grow into the next big names in the industry.ā
Key Highlights:
Among the Rising Stars, Saumya Raj and Samihan Kulkarni also qualified to compete in the BGIS Grand Finals, showcasing their competitive edge on the big stage.
Saumya Raj shared her excitement:
āFor the young athletes, this is not just recognition, itās validation. To be named a Rising Star and also play in the LAN Finalsāthis is something Iāve dreamed about. This initiative is exactly what Indian esports neededāit makes you believe in yourself a little more.ā
Samihan Kulkarni added:
āThis platform is a game-changer. It makes all the grind worth it, and now Iām just focused on making the most of this opportunity.ā
This Rising Stars program reflects KRAFTON Indiaās commitment to fostering homegrown talent and strengthening the future of esports in India through meaningful support and competitive exposure.
Admin
This is a fantastic initiative by KRAFTON India to support and nurture esports talent in the country. The BGMI Rising Stars 2025 seems like a much-needed platform for young gamers to showcase their skills and gain recognition. I particularly liked how Karan Pathak emphasized the importance of intent behind supporting talent, not just identifying it. Saumya Rajās excitement is contagious, and itās inspiring to see how this program validates the efforts of young athletes. Samihan Kulkarniās perspective on the platform being a game-changer is spot onāitās clear how much this means to the participants. Do you think programs like this will ultimately help Indian esports compete on a global level? And how can other companies follow KRAFTONās lead in fostering such talent?