Autobotz lifts BGMI crown at Nagaland’s Hornbill Esports Festival

Kohima: Team Autobotz claimed the Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) title at the Hornbill Esports Festival 2025, the second edition of Nagaland’s flagship gaming event held at the Indira Gandhi Stadium. The tournament, organised by the Esports Association of Nagaland (ESAN) in collaboration with the Department of Youth Resources and Sports, brought together top teams and individual gamers from across the country.

Lobster from Team Autobotz was named the Most Valuable Player for his standout performance in the BGMI championship. The team features players from different parts of India, reflecting the national reach of the competition. TSN Esports from West Bengal secured the runners-up position, followed by SEG Esports from Manipur in third place.

The festival showcased several other titles. In E Football, Diablo clinched the championship, with Lamgouhao Kipgen finishing second. Yongsen and Jipin claimed the third and fourth positions. In FC 25, Tiatoshi took the top spot, followed by Vizokho, while Levicus and SarSongja finished third and fourth.

Team SSX Simp Official from West Bengal emerged victorious in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), with Team Elusivity from Manipur finishing as runners-up. In E Chess, Avituo Nagi secured first place, while Iloto Seb, Khoveto Vero and Shürho Zhalie Sebastian finished second, third and fourth.

With a total prize pool of Rs 10 lakh, the Hornbill Esports Festival is steadily becoming a major digital attraction within the larger Hornbill Festival, reinforcing Nagaland’s growing presence in the esports landscape of the Northeast.

At the valedictory ceremony, Sherry Lalthangzo, Economic Advisor for the North Eastern Region, urged young gamers to pursue their interests with discipline and balance. She acknowledged the generational concerns surrounding gaming and shared that although she once discouraged it, she now actively promotes the AVGC sector, which includes animation, visual effects, gaming and comics, through various youth training initiatives.

Lalthangzo emphasised moderation and wise decision-making, noting that any activity without discipline can be harmful. She encouraged young people to choose paths that benefit themselves, their families and their communities, and highlighted the value of multi skilling in today’s evolving world.

(with inputs from agencies)