From Amitabh Bachchan and Sachin Tendulkar to political and sports leaders, Shelar is pitching esports as a fast-growing youth phenomenon with the potential to make India a global hub.
By PC Bureau
September 11, 2026: From the Vice-President of India and the Union Sports Minister to Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, Maharashtra minister Ashish Shelar has launched an broad outreach campaign to sensitise political, sporting and entertainment figures to the rapid growth of esports in India after taking charge as president of the Esports Games Federation (ESGF).
Shelar arrived in Delhi on Wednesday and called on Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan, briefing him on his new responsibility and the federation’s plans for the future of Indian esports.
“Had the privilege of meeting Hon’ble Vice-President of India CP Radhakrishnan Ji. As President of the E Sports Games Federation, presented him with the Federation’s book. Also extended an invitation to visit our Bandra West Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal to seek darshan of Lord Ganesha during the 10-day Ganeshotsav,” Shelar posted on X.
He later met Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and sought the Centre’s cooperation in harnessing the growing popularity of esports among Gen Z and positioning India as a global esports hub.
Mandaviya, Shelar said, assured him of all possible support.
“As President of the Esports Games Federation (ESGF), had a productive meeting with Hon’ble Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports, Govt. of India, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Ji, to discuss the growth and future of Esports in India. Committed to working together to take Indian Esports to new heights,” Shelar posted on X.
As President of the Esports Games Federation (ESGF), had a productive meeting with Hon’ble Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports, Govt. of India, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Ji, to discuss the growth and future of Esports in India.
Committed to working together to take Indian… pic.twitter.com/MdLiwPqGV6— Adv. Ashish Shelar – ॲड. आशिष शेलार (@ShelarAshish) September 10, 2026
At Delhi airport, Shelar was received by ESGF National Executive Vice-President Arpit Gupta, ESGF Delhi State President Irfan Ahmad and Amarjeet Mishra. ISPL League Commissioner Suraj Samat was also present.
The Delhi meetings came after Shelar was unanimously elected ESGF president on August 28, giving him a mandate that he has quickly sought to leverage across politics, sport, entertainment and the technology sector.
Shelar, the BJP MLA from Vandre West, is Maharashtra’s minister for Electronics, IT, Artificial Intelligence and Cultural Affairs. He is also a former president of the Mumbai Cricket Association, former BCCI treasurer and former Asian Cricket Council board member.
He has sought to frame his new role around the potential of esports and India’s young population.
“Esports is developing rapidly in India and our youth possess immense talent,” Shelar said after his election. “Around 600 million people in our country are engaged with esports.”
He has also pointed to India’s international ambitions, saying the national esports team was scheduled to travel to Japan in September for the Asian Games.
“Our endeavour will be to provide players with better platforms, training, competitions and opportunities for growth,” he said.
From Bachchan to Tendulkar
Shelar’s political outreach has been accompanied by a high-profile Mumbai campaign.
He met Amitabh Bachchan after his election and sought the Bollywood icon’s blessings for his new assignment.
“A pleasure to meet one of India’s most celebrated personalities, the iconic Amitabh Bachchan Ji, who conveyed his best wishes on my new responsibility as President of the Esports Games Federation,” Shelar posted on X.
Shelar subsequently met Tendulkar a
nd presented him with the ESGF book, while extending an invitation to visit the Bandra West Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal.
“Had the privilege of meeting Bharat Ratna Sachin Tendulkar today. As President of the E Sports Games Federation, presented him the Federation’s book and extended a special invitation to visit the Bandra West Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal to seek our beloved Bappa’s blessings. Indeed, a memorable interaction with a legend who continues to inspire generations through his passion for sport,” Shelar wrote on X.
A celebrity-heavy election response
Shelar’s election generated an unusually wide circle of congratulatory messages from Bollywood, cricket, television, music and digital media.
Actor Ajay Devgn congratulated Shelar on X on August 28, calling the appointment “a significant responsibility at an exciting time for the sport” and wishing him well in taking Indian esports forward.
India cricket star Suryakumar Yadav also congratulated Shelar on his election as ESGF president.
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The wider entertainment response was particularly visible on Instagram Stories, with Salman Khan, Malaika Arora, Kareena Kapoor Khan and singer Adnan Sami among those sharing congratulatory messages. Actors Karanvir Bohra and Aamir Ali, digital creator Rohit Saraiya and philanthropist and BJP spokesperson Asif Bhamla also sent or circulated messages congratulating Shelar.
The breadth of the response reflects Shelar’s overlapping networks in Mumbai’s political, cricket, entertainment and business circles.
His association with sport extends beyond cricket administration. He has also been involved with the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL), a tennis-ball T10 competition that has attracted prominent personalities from the entertainment and sporting worlds.
The bigger esports pitch
The ESGF is a not-for-profit national governing body focused on promoting, regulating and developing esports and mind sports in India. The organisation was earlier known as the Skillhub Online Games Federation (SOGF) before being rebranded as the Esports Games Federation.
Shelar’s election was backed by representatives of 22 states. ESGF founder and then acting president Nandan Jha and honorary chairperson Ashok Dhyanchand proposed his name, while Secretary General Gursharan Singh seconded it.
With his political standing, cricket-administration experience and extensive Mumbai entertainment and business connections, Shelar appears intent on using the presidency to give esports a larger place in India’s sporting establishment.
His meetings in Delhi and Mumbai suggest that the pitch is no longer limited to gamers and gaming companies. Shelar is seeking to position esports simultaneously as a youth movement, a competitive sport, a technology industry and a potential international branding opportunity for India.
