Esports: India and New Zealand draft MoU at Auckland sport centenary

The Esports Federation of India (ESFI) and the New Zealand Esports Federation (NZ Esports) have drafted a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to deepen esports cooperation between the two countries.

The draft was prepared in Auckland on the sidelines of celebrations marking 100 Years of Unity Through Sport between India and New Zealand, PTI reported on Sunday, October 25. The Indian delegation is visiting at the invitation of NZ Esports and the New Zealand government.

What the MoU covers

The proposed agreement sets up a framework for knowledge exchange, shared learning and practical collaboration between the two federations and their esports communities, with the aim of building a lasting partnership.

NZ Esports general secretary Ben Lenihan, CEO Jonathan Jansen and Brent Sheldrake of Sport NZ attended the proceedings.

What they said

Jansen said cricket had connected the two countries for generations and esports offered a new way to build on that with young people, giving players chances to compete, share cultures and make friends.

Sheldrake said international matches create opportunities for people to connect through a shared passion for competition, and welcomed the focus on connection alongside the contest itself.

ESFI general secretary Lokesh Suji said the partnership would help the federations exchange expertise, create opportunities for players and build cooperation that goes beyond competition.

India's players

During the four-day visit from October 23 to 26, three Indian gamers are taking part in a bilateral event against New Zealand:

• Shagun Srivastava in women's Clash Royale
• Ibrahim Iyer in women's eFootball
• Chinmay Sahoo in men's eFootball (console)

Srivastava and Sahoo qualified through ESFI's national qualifiers (NESC2026). Iyer, a medical doctor, was picked through a special match involving leading women eFootball players.

The centenary programme spans several sports, including cricket, football and esports.

Why it matters for North East gamers

International tie-ups and national qualifiers like NESC are the main route for Indian players to reach overseas events. Young gamers in the North East can enter the same national qualifiers that produced two of India's three representatives in Auckland.