A premium league COVID-19 warriors

By Mrinal Gujare

he fantasy gaming space

Ttook off in a way nobody anticipated. They set the temperatures soaring with respect to generating revenues and expanding user base and is now looking to be a billion-dollar industry within two years! No one would have anticipated the impact fantasy sports would have on Indian economy.

Even when the dreaded call of the IPL season being ‘postponed’ came about, fantasy sports sector pinned on hopes for hassle free participation. The playbook of these fantasy games underwent a change owing to the COVID-19 outbreak. Though it has not been a smooth sail, a lot of fantasy sports platform came together to do their bit in organising COVID-19 relief initiatives for the society. Indian fantasy sports’ operators supported those who were severely impacted by the brutal outbreak of COVID-19.

Lifting the veil of fantasy Intrigued by the way things were going for the Indian fantasy sports industry, Gutshot Magazine spoke to Sreeram Reddy Vanga, Founder, OpenPlay Tech Play, one of the thriving fantasy sports brands in the country, and to Vickram Assomull, Co-founder, BlitzPools to know how the firm led from the front amid such arduous times and about the initiatives they undertook in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While talking about the initiative done by OnePlay Tech, Vanga mentioned how their employees were working from home even before the Government of India

Vickram Assomull

announced it. The founder of this popular fantasy sports platform also added that the brand was determined to take care of its employees and their family members in case of any emergencies. He further mentions that OnePlayTech is committed to the safety of its employees and bought COVID-19 insurance for the employees. It is important to know that to keep the morale high of the employees during such trying times; a step in that direction is to make sure the employees get their statutory benefits, requisite insurance, and annual increment. Dream11, through the philanthropic arm Dream Sports Foundation (DSF), has pledges its support to “feed the daily wager” by partnering with Zomato. Mobile Premier League also joined hands with Give India to organise ‘Gamers for India Fundraiser’ for Covid relief in partnership with some of the most revered names in the Indian gaming community on 15tth May. A whopping number of `81,00,0000 was accumulated, out of which MPL Esports contributed 75,00,000 towards the cause.

Mobile Premier League (MPL) also donated ₹5 crore to #InThisTogether initiative started by Virat Kohli and actress Anushka Sharma. The duo started this campaign in partnership with Ketto, a crowd-funding platform.

While talking about the vaccination of employees Vanga stated that the firm is in talks with various hospitals in Hyderabad to finalise a vaccination partner for its employees and their family members. OnePlay Tech is a shining example of how a firm should do everything in its power to ensure the safety of its employees and by extension the family of its employees.

Vickram Assomull, Co-founder, BlitzPools while talking about the brand’s COVID-19 relief efforts, proudly mentions about the Free Pools they created to engage the players and generate funds. The fantasy sports platform donated `5 to each team that participated in COVID-19 Relief Free Pools.

Assomull adds how the brand witnessed a spike in daily users who wanted to play their part in the relief efforts. BlitzPools managed to collect `1,10000 in donations and collaborated with the Helping Hands Foundation to provide aid to the people affected by COVID-19. The fantasy sports brand along with Helping Hands Foundation provided food to marginalised communities with the funds raised via BlitzPools. The COVID-19 relief aid was also given to senior citizens, families who have COVID-19 and cancer patients.

When we look at the COVID-19 crisis in the country, one surely feels that any and every help will definitely make a difference. The Indian fantasy sports operators are doing their part well when it comes to providing support and COVID-19 relief aid not just to its employees but even to a larger population that is suffering due to the pandemic.

Be it a Free Pool or a fundraiser, the Indian fantasy sports community has rolled up its sleeves to put up a tough fight with the coronavirus pandemic. It is heartwarming to see fantasy sports players, firms, brand ambassadors among others taking steps to reach out to people who are adversely affected and generate more awareness towards the COVID-19 relief cause.