 division of football world governing body Fifa. Back in June, Mr Singh represented India in Fifa Esports' Nations Cup 2023. This was held in Saudi Arabia, and Mr Singh says he came 64th. According to one report, this earned him $10,000 (£8,000). "I have no idea if I'm good or not, I just enjoy playing," he says. Mr Singh, who is from the city of Chandigarh, in northern India, is indicative of a country that increasingly really likes computer games. Image source, Getty Images Image caption, The vast majority of Indian gamers use their mobile phones rather than a computer Last year, there were 421 million people in India who played online games, according to a report in April by accountancy group Ernst & Young. This was up from 300 million in 2019, and the number is expected to rise to 442 million this year. The study also said that the combined revenues of online games in India were 135bn Indian rupees ($1.6bn; £1.30bn) in 2022, 22% higher than in 2021. And it predicted that annual growth will continue around this level. At the same time, a separate report said that the number of Indians participating in organised esports competitions had soared from 150,000 in 2021, to 600,000 in 2022. This big growth is said to have been fuelled by the coronavirus lockdowns giving people more leisure time, and the increased availability of affordable smartphones and cheap internet data packs - 90% of Indian gamers use their phones rather than a computer or games console. While only an estimated 20% of online games played in India are currently made by Indian gaming firms, the homegrown sector has been growing qui){kind=link}
Charanjot Singh plays football professionally, only he doesn’t wear a pair of boots and run around on a pitch.
The 20-year-old instead earns a living playing football computer games, including the tournaments organised by the electronic sports (esports) division of football world governing body Fifa.
Back in June, Mr Singh represented India in Fifa Esports’ Nations Cup 2023. This was held in Saudi Arabia, and Mr Singh says he came 64th. According to one report, this earned him $10,000 (£8,000).
“I have no idea if I’m good or not, I just enjoy playing,” he says.
Mr Singh, who is from the city of Chandigarh, in northern India, is indicative of a country that increasingly really likes computer games.