A dream that began inside Delhi University three years ago reached the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, as Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College student Paritosh represented India in Puyo Puyo Champions. His quarter-final appearance marked a major moment for ARCADE, DU’s first esports and gaming society.

How ARCADE Started in Delhi University

ARCADE was created in 2023 after esports became a medal event at the Asian Games in Hangzhou. The society was started by Delhi University students who wanted to build a stronger gaming and esports community on campus.

Three years later, one of its members reached the international stage. Paritosh, a first-year BCom (Hons) student at Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College, joined ARCADE in August and later earned the opportunity to represent India at Aichi-Nagoya 2026.

Paritosh Reaches the Quarter-Finals

Making his Asian Games debut, Paritosh finished third in Group B after recording two wins and two losses. He defeated Mongolia’s Munkhzorig Ganbold 3–0 and Singapore’s Koh Mun June Justin 3–2 to progress to the knockout stage.

His run ended in the quarter-finals after a 0–5 defeat to South Korea’s Kang Dongshin. Although he did not reach the podium, the campaign gave a DU student the chance to compete for India on one of the biggest stages in Asian esports.

From Campus Community to International Stage

For Paritosh, ARCADE’s biggest contribution was providing a community around his competitive journey. He described the society as a student-led organisation that offered support, encouragement and a group of people interested in gaming and esports.

ARCADE founder Ishwar Prakash Yadav, who now guides the student team while working as COO of Metanova Esports, said seeing a DU student reach the Asian Games felt like the realisation of an ambition the society had discussed when it was founded.

ARCADE Grows Beyond the Campus

Since its formation, ARCADE has grown into a community of more than 15,000 members, organised over 15 events and attracted participants from more than 120 colleges, according to Yadav.

The society says it continues to operate largely through student efforts, sponsors and pooled contributions. Its journey from a campus esports initiative to having a member wear the Indian jersey at the Asian Games highlights how student gaming communities can become part of competitive esports pathways.