The first-ever SOG Grandmasters Series’ South 1 Zonal Finals, organized by the Skillhub Online Games Federation (SOGF), will feature former Indian cricket player Robin Uthappa as its face. The event is set for December 18–19 at the Sheraton Grand in Whitefield, Bengaluru. The competition will honour outstanding talents, unearth mind sports athletes, and promote excellence across the country, in addition to Uthappa's powerful star power and the tremendous reaction from those who registered for the southern zone championship's online qualifiers.
Significant interest was shown in all categories during the first SOG Grandmasters Series registrations. Free online pre-qualifiers for the Indian Rummy Grandmasters (IRG) and Indian Chess Masters (ICM) attracted over 55,000 players, demonstrating the growing appeal of these cognitive skill-based mind sports. The top 125 players who enrolled and participated in the IRG and ICM online qualifiers will go to Bangalore to compete in the zonal finals. Furthermore, 16 elite players were selected for the South Zonal Finals from the All India Chess Federation for the Blind's (AICFB) Chess for the Blind competition, which acted as a pre-qualifier for the Indian Chess Masters for the Blind (ICMB).
"Having Robin Uthappa, a World Cup-winning cricketer known for his resilience and mental strength, represent the SOG Grandmasters South Regional Finals is a powerful way to inspire the next generation of mind sports athletes. Robin’s story of overcoming challenges and excelling on the global stage will motivate participants to aim higher, with the dream of representing India. His presence bridges traditional sports and skill-based online games, helping to popularize these disciplines and encourage more players to step forward. The overwhelming response to the Grandmasters Series reflects India’s growing passion for skill-based sports, and we are committed to creating an inclusive platform that nurtures this talent and propels it onto the global stage," said Shankar Aggarwal, President of SOGF while talking about the event
Uthappa, a World Cup-winning cricketer known for his swashbuckling playing style, a popular TV Commentator and a strong advocate for mental health, serves as a powerful source of inspiration for the youth, as he becomes the face of the SOG Grandmasters South Regional Finals. As a champion of ethical playing and mental health and a proponent of resilience, hard work and making dreams come true, Uthappa exemplifies the values of focus, strategy, and perseverance that are essential in skill-based gaming.
"Mind sports are truly unique in how they celebrate cognitive skills. The SOG Grandmasters Series is a remarkable platform that highlights the power of strategy, focus, and mental resilience—qualities I deeply value both as a cricketer and as an advocate for mental well-being. This series not only showcases exceptional talent across India, but also nurtures the competitive spirit and creates new opportunities to unearth and spotlight talent in the mind sports arena. I’m excited to be part of this initiative and am eager to witness the next generation of champions rise from such an initiative," said Uthappa
The South 1 Zonal Finals will be a lan event with "phygital" experience, blending physical and digital formats under one roof. The Bengaluru event will be followed by Zonal finals in other zones, with the finalists–two from chess for Men, two from Chess for Women, two from Chess for the Blind, and six from Online Rummy in each zone – competing in the Nationals in April 2025 in New Delhi.
