BLAST, an esports entertainment company, has forged a partnership with NODWIN Gaming, a leading esports and gaming media firm in South Asia. Together, they're launching 'The Draft,' a Counter-Strike tournament aimed at enabling teams from India and Pakistan to compete among elite players globally. This initiative seeks to elevate Indian and Pakistani Counter-Strike teams onto the international stage. With a substantial prize pool of $50,000, participating teams will not only compete for the rewards but also gain the opportunity to engage and compete against renowned international Counter-Strike professionals, according to the company's announcement.

The kickoff of 'The Draft' involves 64 teams from India and Pakistan participating in online qualifying tournaments scheduled for late January. Faye Marlborough, BLAST's Brand Director, highlighted the importance of providing emerging esports and gaming markets with opportunities to engage internationally, contributing to their ongoing growth. The tournament not only acts as a platform for up-and-coming players but also assures an exciting competition for both global and local fans, according to a press statement.

These initial 64 teams will vie for spots in the online group stages for Pakistan and India, with each group offering 6 coveted positions. From these stages, the top 3 teams in each group will progress to the Super Six LAN event scheduled for February in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. During this event, teams will have the chance to partner with a Counter-Strike veteran through a distinctive draft-inspired selection process, providing local talents a valuable opportunity to learn from world-class players. Akshat Rathee, Co-Founder and Managing Director of NODWIN Gaming, characterized 'The Draft' as a celebration of skill, strategy, and the relentless esports spirit, uniting top talents from the local gaming scene with renowned figures in the global Counter-Strike arena.