The first-ever Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) national college cup promotional match in India was held at Tuli college on April 19. The event was organized by the Tuli college students’ union and officially sponsored by MLBB, marking a significant milestone in India’s growing collegiate E-sports scene.
A total of 12 teams comprising 60 players competed in the high-energy tournament, showcasing the rising enthusiasm for E-sports among students. Team One Punch emerged as the champions, while Templars Cartel secured the runner-up position.
Individual excellence was also recognized during the event. Best player was awarded to Imsulong, squad leader of Team One Punch, for outstanding in-game strategy and leadership and the best roamer went to Imlinungshi of Templars Cartel, who demonstrated exceptional mobility and map control throughout the tournament.
Winners received 5,000 in-game diamonds, while runners-up were awarded 3,000 diamonds. Additionally, a random lottery giveaway saw 10 players, one from each team, receiving 200 diamonds each.
This event is part of the National College Cup (NCC), a nationwide E-sports initiative dedicated to promoting Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) titles like MLBB among college students. Exclusively for students, the NCC is managed by BattleKnights India, which has been contracted to organize the event biannually—during summer and winter vacation periods—to ensure maximum participation.
The promotional match in Tuli is among a series of offline events being rolled out across state universities in India, aiming to build awareness and excitement for the main tournament. The NCC seeks to empower young players with a platform to represent their colleges and potentially pursue careers in professional E-sports.
The National Collegiate Circuit (NCC) has also unveiled its future plans aimed at transforming the collegiate E-sports landscape and integrating gaming more deeply into student life across campuses nationwide.
As part of its commitment to fostering competitive and inclusive gaming communities, the NCC will roll out regular inter-college tournaments and leagues, designed to boost engagement, school pride, and player development.
Additionally, the NCC is prioritizing the development of campus-based E-sports communities, empowering students to take the lead in shaping a vibrant gaming culture within their institutions.