ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG), a leading gaming laptop brand globally, announced the launch of Season 9 of the ROG Academy in India on Monday.
According to the company, the esports training programme aims to nurture emerging gaming talent, providing participants with top-tier infrastructure, mentorship, and guest sessions from industry veterans.
The official title for Season 9 is "CS2," and selected players will receive a monthly stipend of ₹15,000 along with the latest ROG gears, including laptops, monitors, headphones, and keyboards, for training purposes.
Aspiring gamers aged 16 and above can register on the official ROG Academy website starting from February 4. Applicants will undergo a detailed selection process, including application tests, theory tests, range tests, and scrims.
ROG Academy will continue its partnership with Saharyar "BaDMaN" Shaikh as the official coach for Season 9. With a 10-year career as a CS:GO In-Game Leader (IGL), Shaikh's influence on the competitive gaming landscape is significant, ASUS said. Known for talent identification and development, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of notable players.
Apart from Shaikh, the ninth edition of ROG Academy is also said to feature industry professionals as guests to share insights and guidance with the participants.
In Season 9, the curriculum is designed in collaboration with AFK Gaming, one of India's leading
Esports and Gaming publications. The curriculum focuses on mastering various aspects of gameplay, including teamwork, communication, opponent analysis, weapon selection, and skillsets.
According to ASUS, ROG Academy's past seasons have seen over 13,000 registrations and 48 players transitioning to the professional level. Notable alumni from Season 8, Seek and Arakyn, secured placements in Grayfox Esports.
