Gaming hardware company ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) has launched an esports academy programme specifically tailored for the ‘next generation’ of gamers in India.
According to the firm’s website, all participants above the age of 16 are able to register for ROG Academy. Moreover, the first programme will look at developing Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) players in the region.
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Any registered players will go into a selection process which includes tests, interviews and tournaments in order to ‘find the most suitable candidates’. Those chosen to be part of the programme will be equipped with ASUS ROG products and will have access to professional support from the academy’s coaches and experts. These include Agneya “Marzil” Koushik and Prashant “Aequitas” Prabhakar.
Arnold Su, Business Head of ASUS ROG, spoke about the initiative: “With immense pleasure, we introduce everyone to ROG Academy, an industry-first initiative aimed to empower gamers to conquer at competitions and elevate the esports industry.
“We are looking forward to encouraging budding gamers, mentoring them through their esports journey, and familiarise them with future opportunities in this landscape. This initiative will provide a huge boost in establishing a pool of credible esports players in India and pave the way for next-generation gamers with access to resources, mentorship and training.”
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Koushik has been named as the Head Coach of ROG Academy. The player is currently the captain of Bl4ze Esports and will be responsible for helping the chosen participants learn and develop their talents.
Prashant “Aequitas” Prabhakar, a former professional player, designed the curriculum and will be working with the academy and keeping stock of the participants’ progress. Prabhakar currently is the CEO of SoStronk, a gaming platform focused on CS:GO in-game statistics and in-platform tournaments for players who wants to improve their performance.
In total, ROG Academy is expected to select six individuals.
Esports Insider says: Nurturing the esports ecosystem in India is a great move for Asus ROG. It has been widely recognised that India’s player base is growing and seeing the firm target a PC title in CS:GO continues to showcase the development of its esports ecosystem. Moreover, ASUS will naturally boost its brand awareness in the country by aligning itself with the development of aspiring pros that live in the region.