India, New Zealand esports federations draft MoU at centenary celebrations
Synopsis
For the first time in the 100-year history of India-New Zealand sporting ties, esports has earned a formal seat at the table. ESFI and NZ Esports have drafted an MoU in Auckland — a small but symbolically significant step that frames digital sport as a new pillar of bilateral diplomacy, complete with competing players and institutional ambitions.
Key Takeaways
ESFI and NZ Esports drafted an MoU in Auckland on 25 October 2026 to formalise bilateral esports cooperation.
The initiative is part of the 100 Years of Unity Through Sport centenary programme marking a century of India-New Zealand sporting ties.
Three Indian players — Shagun Srivastava , Dr Ibrahim Iyer and Chinmay Sahoo — are competing in eFootball and Clash Royale .
Srivastava and Sahoo qualified via NESC2026 ; Iyer was selected through a special women's eFootball selection match.
The MoU is yet to be formally ratified; once signed, it is expected to serve as a template for further ESFI bilateral agreements.
The Esports Federation of India (ESFI) and the New Zealand Esports Federation Incorporated (NZ Esports) have drafted a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation, with the initiative formalised in Auckland on 25 October 2026 during the centenary programme titled 100 Years of Unity Through Sport. The proposed agreement seeks to build a lasting framework for knowledge exchange, shared learning and practical collaboration between the two esports communities.
What the MoU Proposes
The draft agreement is designed to establish structured cooperation between the two federations, going beyond one-off competition to create sustained engagement at the institutional level. The focus areas include expertise exchange, player development opportunities and a long-term partnership model that both sides say can outlast any single event.
The MoU proceedings were attended by NZ Esports General Secretary Ben Lenihan, CEO Jonathan Jansen and Sport NZ representative Brent Sheldrake. The Indian delegation is in Auckland at the invitation of NZ Esports and the New Zealand government as part of the centenary programme.
What Officials Said
'Cricket has brought New Zealand and India together for generations. Esports gives us a new way to build on that connection with the young people of today. By bringing our players together, we're creating opportunities to compete, share our cultures and build friendships. That's what excites me about this relationship: the chance to strengthen the connection between our countries for generations to come,' said Jansen.
Sheldrake underlined the cultural dimension of such exchanges: 'International matches like these create opportunities for people to connect through a shared passion for sport and competition. Bringing players from India and New Zealand together offers a chance to learn about each other's cultures and build relationships. It is encouraging to see that emphasis on connection alongside the competition itself.'
ESFI Honorary General Secretary Lokesh Suji added, 'Esports offers a new avenue to strengthen the sporting relationship between India and New Zealand. This proposed partnership will help our federations exchange expertise, create opportunities for players and build sustained cooperation beyond competition. We thank the New Zealand federation and government for inviting India to be part of this centenary celebration.'
India's Competing Contingent
Three Indian gamers are participating in a bilateral esports event against New Zealand during the four-day visit from 23 to 26 October. Shagun Srivastava is competing in the women's Clash Royale category, Dr Ibrahim Iyer in women's eFootball, and Chinmay Sahoo in the men's eFootball console category.
Srivastava and Sahoo earned their berths through ESFI's national qualifier series NESC2026, while Iyer — a practising medical doctor — was selected following a special match involving leading women eFootball players.
Broader Context of the Centenary Programme
The 100 Years of Unity Through Sport programme spans several disciplines, including cricket, football and esports. Notably, this is the first time esports has been formally included in the centenary calendar, reflecting the sport's growing institutional recognition across both countries. India's inclusion in the esports segment signals an expanding diplomatic use of digital sport — a pattern increasingly visible in bilateral cultural programmes globally.
The MoU is yet to be formally signed; once ratified, it is expected to serve as a template for similar agreements between ESFI and other national federations.
Point of View
Not yet signed — a distinction worth watching. Bilateral esports agreements are still rare, and ESFI has in recent years been actively building its international footprint, so the New Zealand partnership fits a deliberate diplomatic pattern. What is more interesting is the framing: by embedding esports inside a century-old sporting relationship, both sides are signalling that digital sport deserves the same institutional scaffolding as cricket or football. Whether the MoU translates into sustained player exchange, co-hosted tournaments or genuine technical cooperation — rather than remaining a ceremonial document — will be the real measure of its ambition.
NationPress
25 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MoU between ESFI and NZ Esports about?
The MoU is a proposed bilateral agreement between the Esports Federation of India (ESFI) and New Zealand Esports Federation Incorporated (NZ Esports) to establish a framework for knowledge exchange, player development and long-term collaboration between the two esports communities. It was drafted in Auckland on 25 October 2026 during the centenary programme '100 Years of Unity Through Sport'.
Has the MoU been formally signed?
No. As of 25 October 2026, the MoU remains a draft. Both federations are expected to ratify it formally; once signed, it is intended to serve as a template for future bilateral esports agreements.
Which Indian players are competing at the Auckland bilateral event?
Three Indian gamers are competing: Shagun Srivastava in women's Clash Royale, Dr Ibrahim Iyer in women's eFootball, and Chinmay Sahoo in men's eFootball console. Srivastava and Sahoo qualified through ESFI's NESC2026 national qualifiers, while Iyer was selected via a special women's eFootball match.
What is the '100 Years of Unity Through Sport' programme?
It is a centenary programme marking 100 years of sporting ties between India and New Zealand. The programme covers multiple disciplines including cricket, football and — for the first time — esports. The Indian delegation is in Auckland at the invitation of NZ Esports and the New Zealand government.
Why does this MoU matter for Indian esports?
It represents a formal step towards internationalising India's esports ecosystem at the federation level. ESFI has been expanding its global partnerships, and the New Zealand agreement — backed by Sport NZ, a government body — gives the initiative added institutional weight and sets a precedent for similar bilateral frameworks.
