KOHIMA : The Hornbill Esports Festival 2025-Nagaland’s premier competitive gaming showcase-opened its second edition on Monday at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, drawing more than 300 national-level players to the state capital.

Organised by the Esports Association of Nagaland (ESAN) in collaboration with the Department of Youth Resources and Sports, the event forms a key part of Nagaland’s efforts to scale up its esports ecosystem by merging gaming with music, digital culture and youth engagement.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Abu Metha-advisor to the Chief Minister and chairman of the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN)-described esports as an economic and creative space that India can no longer overlook.

“Esports is a modern-day trend and a billion-dollar industry that cannot be ignored,” he said, adding that Nagaland intends to ensure its young players find a place in the rapidly growing sector.

Pointing to the emerging talent pool in the state, Metha highlighted the recent win of a Naga athlete in the football category at the Khelo India Esports Championships and noted that global competitions now offer prize pools running into millions of dollars.

He said competitive gaming has grown beyond a leisure activity to become a legitimate career avenue-not only for professional players but also for content creators, broadcasters, game designers and developers. Several international sports institutes, he noted, were already incorporating simulation platforms into athlete training, strategy development and performance decision-making.

Welcoming the national qualifiers participating in the festival, Metha said every competitor entering Kohima “was already a champion,” and encouraged them to embrace the cultural essence of Hornbill, network with fellow players and take home enduring memories.

The festival, one of the marquee youth attractions of the Hornbill season, is expected to host multiple tournaments and engagement events through the week, positioning Nagaland as a rising destination in India’s growing esports map.

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