INTERNATIONAL student Monish Kumar came to Bond University with a dream – to start his own esports franchise back home in India.
INTERNATIONAL student Monish Kumar came to Bond University with a dream – to start his own esports franchise back home in India.
Mr Kumar arrived to Bond in 2020 – just before the Covid pandemic – to study a Masters of Sport Management.
The university’s new esports Hub, its partnership with Australian professional esports team The Chiefs and the small class sizes were a big influence on the 23-year-old’s decision to come to the Gold Coast.
“My long term goal is to start my own esports organization in India,” Mr Kumar said.
“I think there is huge potential in India.
“Esports has a similar model to traditional sports, I thought a background in management in traditional sports would help me understand how I can use that in esports.
“I liked that Bond had a low student to teacher ratio, I really wanted that type of education. Back in India we’d have 60 students in one class.
“I saw the Bond had the esports hub, so that was really attractive and I thought studying here would help me achieve my dream.”
Mr Kumar represented India at an Overwatch World Cup in 2019 in Anaheim in the US but believes his future is in the management side of the fast growing industry.
An internship with The Chiefs is providing invaluable experience and insight to all levels of the business.
“The Chiefs are one of the best esports organisations in Australia and my experience with them has already been incredible,” he said.
“India and Australia are at the same stage in esports, we have to work at the grassroots level. That is really key, you are trying to bring out talent.
“I tried going professional, but it wasn’t to be. I still have passion for the industry and want to grow the ecosystem in esports, that’s why I chose the management side.
“India has the numbers and the companies to sponsor them.
“I think the biggest issue for esports in India is infrastructure – not everyone has a PC and buying a PC is really expensive in India.
“I think the future in India is mobile gaming and mobile esports.”
Bond University is the official education partner of the Chiefs.