The national Esports teams of Sri Lanka Esports Association (SLESA) recently participated in the Asian Games 2026 Esports Qualifiers held at Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore, where Sri Lanka’s national Esports athletes competed across Identity V (Asian Games Version) and Naraka: Bladepoint, both titles making their qualifier debut for Sri Lanka. Organised as part of the qualification pathway for the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan (September/October 2026), the event brought together national teams from across Asia, each vying for a limited number of spots at the main event. For Sri Lanka’s athletes, stepping onto that stage for the first time in these titles was an invaluable window into what elite-level play truly looks like, an experience no domestic stage could replicate and one that this new generation of Sri Lankan Esports athletes will carry forward.
Sri Lanka was represented in Identity V by Naveen “Cadenza” Senadheera, Dasun “Asuna9999” Ilandarage, Sandithi “SUM” Mathangaweera and Anuja “MadRush” Gunasinghe. Identity V is a 1-vs-4 asymmetric survival horror game where one player takes the role of the Hunter, and four compete as Survivors, demanding a level of tactical coordination and precision that only the most seasoned teams in Asia have truly mastered. The title was introduced to Sri Lanka for the first time through this qualifier, making the team’s appearance in Singapore a landmark moment for the game in the country. Placed in Group C alongside China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore, and Laos, Sri Lanka entered as the only competing nation from outside the East Asian region, a distinction that did not go unnoticed. The team’s spirit and sportsmanship drew warm recognition both at the venue and from the Chinese online community following the event, a testament to the impression they left beyond just the scoreline. While the results did not go their way against opponents who have been playing at this level for significantly longer, Sri Lanka competed with determination and each match served as a lesson drawn from the highest tier of Asian competition.
Sri Lanka was represented in Naraka: Bladepoint by Sanjana “userSaico” Wijesingha, Tuan “SWITCHBL4DE” Rasheed, Malith “SuprBig_m4x” Withanage and Agraja “Death” Perera. A fast-paced martial arts battle royale demanding sharp individual mechanics and tight team coordination, Naraka: Bladepoint was also played competitively in Sri Lanka for the first time through this qualifier, adding significance to the team’s journey to Singapore. Placed in Group A alongside Chinese Taipei, Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka entered once again as the only nation from outside the East and Southeast Asian heartland of the game. Facing nations with well-established Naraka teams, the Sri Lankan side competed in every match with intent and resilience, and while the group stage did not yield the results they were looking for, their presence on that stage as pioneers of the title in Sri Lanka was a milestone in its own right.
For Sri Lanka Esports, results are only one dimension of progress. Every match played against some of Asia’s best, many of whom rank among the finest players in the world, every strategy tested under pressure, and every moment spent on an international stage feeds directly into the athletes’ growth. With more Asian Games Esports qualifiers still to come, Sri Lankan Esports athletes look ahead with purpose and determination.
Dialog Axiata PLC continued its longstanding support as the Official Sponsor of the National Esports team in Sri Lanka. Powered by Dialog 5G Ultra, the country’s fastest growing and #1 5G network, Dialog has been a driving force behind the rise of competitive Esports in the country, investing in the sport and its athletes long before it became the phenomenon it is today. Guided by the vision of Esports as the sport of the future, Dialog’s continued commitment to powering talent reflects a firm belief that this generation of Sri Lankan Esports athletes is just getting started.
Gamer.LK, Sri Lanka’s premier video gaming and Esports company, served as the strategic partner for SLESA, supporting the execution, operations and promotion of the event. Their continued involvement has been instrumental in shaping the local Esports landscape and ensuring the successful delivery of national-level initiatives.
Caption: The Sri Lankan Identity V national team competing in the Asian Games 2026 Esports Qualifiers.
