Adding yet another feather to her illustrious cap, Nikita Luther, India’s first female World Series of Poker (WSOP) Gold champion, has been awarded with the Shakti Award at the We Women Want Conclave 2025. The event, held on August 7 in New Delhi at The Imperial Hotel, saw her being felicitated by Shri Shashi Tharoor, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, for ‘Excellence in Gaming’ and her pioneering contributions to India’s poker landscape.

Speaking on her award, Nikita Luther, Brand Ambassador and Business Consultant – Natural8 India, said, “This award recognises my journey in the global poker landscape, and this moment is a reminder that the path I chose, though tough, was worth every bit of effort and sweat. While I am delighted to be seen as a role model for other women looking to break into conventionally male-dominated fields, this recognition makes me even more determined to keep raising the standards that I have been held to. I hope others find their own trials not as burdens but as invitations to grow, evolve, and create something meaningful. I would like to thank the NewsX team and their Senior Editor, Uday Pratap Singh, for organising such an engaging, uplifting event.”

Kunal Patni, Executive Director & Country Head of Natural8 India, added, “Nikita’s recognition with the Shakti Award is thoroughly deserved. She continues to be a powerful advocate for poker as a skill-based sport and an inspiration for women across India’s gaming and business landscapes. This award acknowledges not just her exceptional talent at the poker table, but her role in transforming perceptions about professional gaming in our country.”

The We Women Want Conclave 2025, organised by NewsX, is an extension of the platform’s acclaimed weekly programme that champions women’s issues and celebrates female achievement. The show has become a vital support network that addresses everything from workplace equality and domestic violence to health awareness and career advancement, featuring prominent figures including politicians like Smriti Irani and Bollywood stars such as Shabana Azmi and Taapsee Pannu. The conclave brings together influential women leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers to celebrate the achievements of women and discuss pathways for continued progress in gender equality across industries. The Shakti Awards are given to women who have demonstrated exceptional excellence and leadership in their respective fields, celebrating their contributions to breaking barriers and inspiring others.

Nikita’s recognition comes at a time when the Indian gaming industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, with her pioneering success serving as a beacon for aspiring female professionals in the sector.

The inaugural season of the iQOO Battlegrounds Series concluded with Team Orangutan securing first place and a record-breaking lead of 61 points, lifting the championship trophy after three days of intense Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) action at the LAN finale. Held from August 8 to 10 at the Noida Indoor Stadium, the event featured a massive INR 1 crore prize pool and drew thousands of fans on-ground. For the first time, Orangutan claimed the BGMI championship title, marking a historic moment for the team and its supporters.

Executed by NODWIN Gaming and powered by iQOO, the high-performance smartphone brand, the tournament began on July 21 with 32 teams. Thirty squads (teams) were invited squads and two teams qualified through the iQOO Community Cup after a rigorous qualifier stage. From the group stage, the top eight teams from the overall standings went straight to the Grand Finals, while the remaining 24 competed in the Semi Finals. Eight more teams advanced from there, completing the 16-team LAN finals lineup.

Across the 18 matches played at the LAN, Orangutan emerged as champions with 217 points, securing INR 55 lakh from the prize pool. Meta Ninza finished second with 156 points, followed by K9 Esports in third with 121 points. Orangutan’s Ankit Shukla (AKop) was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for his stellar showing, amassing 62 finishes in the finals.

Arman aka Aaru, IGL of Orangutan, said, “Four years ago, it was just a dream. Today, it’s in our hands. Every setback, every close call, every tough day only made us stronger. We never gave up, and that made all the difference.”

Fans at the venue were also treated to special meet-and-greet sessions with some of India’s most popular gaming creators from S8UL and Revenant XSpark, including Naman Mathur (Mortal), Raj Varma (Snax), Gulrez Khan (JokerKiHaveli), Payal Dhare (PayalGaming), Kaashvi Hiranandani (KaashPlays), and Tanmay Singh (ScoutOP).

Nipun Marya, CEO, iQOO, commented, “At iQOO, we believe the future of gaming lies in creating meaningful opportunities for the esports community. The iQOO Battlegrounds Series is our flagship gaming IP, bringing India’s best teams to the grand stage. My heartfelt congratulations to iQOO Orangutan for their exceptional win, and to Meta Ninza and K9 Esports for their spirited performance. We’re proud to provide a platform that celebrates skill, passion, and ambition, driving India’s esports ecosystem to new heights.”

The iQOO Battlegrounds Series is the brand’s flagship esports property, designed to showcase top-tier BGMI talent while nurturing the next generation of competitive gamers. Since its inception in 2020, iQOO has been committed to supporting esports, and the first season of this tournament further reinforces that commitment.

Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and Managing Director, NODWIN Gaming, added, “The iQOO Battlegrounds Series is a perfect example of performance-driven innovation meeting grassroots talent and world-class tournament execution. Congratulations to Orangutan on a well-deserved victory, and kudos to all teams for showcasing the competitive spirit that defines India’s esports scene. With partners like iQOO, our mission is to keep raising the bar, and taking Indian esports to stages that resonate globally.”

The success of the inaugural season sets the stage for the iQOO Battlegrounds Series to become a mainstay in India’s esports calendar, offering a professional platform for players to compete, grow, and make their mark on the global stage.

Betano and Sporting Clube de Portugal have renewed their partnership for an additional four seasons, extending the relationship between the two brands until the end of the 2028/29 season. A sponsor of “the Lions” since 2021, Betano — the premium sports betting and online gaming brand of Kaizen Gaming — will continue to support the Alvalade club as the Main Sponsor.

The renewed agreement covers both the First Team and the B Team, which currently competes in the second league, with Betano maintaining prominent branding on the front of both teams’ official shirts.

“We are very pleased. This renewal is the reward for a successful investment by both parties in the excellent relationship we’ve established over the past four years. We began our partnership with Betano as Champions and now we renew it as back-to-back Champions. With that in mind, I believe the conditions are ideal for continued success over the next four years,” adds André Bernardo, Chief Strategy and Operations Officer of Sporting Clube de Portugal.

“We are truly delighted to extend our partnership with Sporting Clube de Portugal. Over the past few years, we have built a strong relationship founded on trust and shared ambition. This partnership has also coincided with a remarkable period in the club’s history, as Sporting has secured back-to-back Portuguese league titles, as well as a Portuguese cup triumph. This renewal reflects the mutual success and confidence that defines our collaboration, and reinforces our commitment to Portuguese sport, its fans, and to delivering a safe, innovative, and responsible betting experience,” says Julio Iglesias, Chief Commercial Officer at Kaizen Gaming.

The new agreement also includes a wide range of joint activations and fan-focused initiatives, further strengthening the bond between the brand and the Sporting universe over the next four seasons.