iQOO picks Vedang Chavan as Chief Gaming Officer in ₹10 lakh esports talent hunt

A former chess prodigy from Navi Mumbai, Vedang began gaming at 10, later representing India in global PUBG PC tournaments before becoming a respected esports coach known for building winning teams from the grassroots level

Smartphone brand iQOO has appointed 25-year-old esports coach and gamer Vedang Vikas Chavan as its new Chief Gaming Officer (CGO) following a nationwide talent hunt that attracted over 80,000 entries from 400+ cities and towns across India. Vedang emerged victorious after a rigorous three-month selection process that tested participants on gaming skills, knowledge, communication, and personality.

A native of Navi Mumbai, Vedang’s journey into esports began at age 10. Once a chess prodigy, he shifted his focus to competitive gaming, representing India in international PUBG PC tournaments in countries like Japan, Malaysia, and Australia. Transitioning into coaching, Vedang built esports teams from scratch and mentored them to podium finishes at major tournaments, earning a reputation as a grassroots leader in the esports community.

Expressing his excitement, Vedang said, “Becoming iQOO’s CGO is a dream come true. The competition was intense, and being chosen is surreal. This role offers me the opportunity to give back to the community that shaped me.”

As CGO, Vedang will work closely with iQOO’s leadership team to enhance gaming features on its smartphones and strengthen the brand’s connection with the esports ecosystem. He will also collaborate with top gamers and receive a remuneration of ₹10 lakh.

Welcoming Vedang, Nipun Marya, CEO of iQOO, stated, “Vedang exemplifies our brand spirit, ‘I Quest On and On.’ His journey from passionate gamer to top coach showcases the resilience and insight we value. We believe he will bring valuable perspective to our gaming initiatives.”

In addition, iQOO has appointed Harshvardhan as its official caster. Known for winning the Nodwin Gaming Talent Hunt thrice, Harshvardhan brings storytelling, casting, and production expertise to support iQOO’s growing esports efforts.

Now in its second edition, the CGO initiative reflects iQOO’s commitment to nurturing India’s gaming talent and establishing high-performance smartphones as the platform of choice for serious gamers.