MUMBAI: Animation channel Animax in association with Sify Gamedrome has launched the first annual “Animax Grand Gaming Challenge 2007,” a gaming tournament that will be conducted across 66 cities.

This event will feature gamers competing for a bevy of prizes in several online game categories such as sports, racing, and strategy on-line and first person shooter.

The annual Animax Grand Gaming Challenge is a pan-India gaming event that will feature games like Counter Strike, FIFA, NFS UG2, Defense of The Ancients and Gunz Online. Trophies along with other valuable prizes such as calendars, hiking bags, sippers, posters and DVDs will be given away by Animax. Additionally, a job for a lucky winner as an actual game jockey aiding in the development process is also in store. The registration started from 10 January, 2007.

The Animax Grand Gaming Challenge is an initiative by Animax and Sify Gamedrome to provide a platform to youth, recognizing the need take the passion of today’s gamers one step forward to a competitive platform.

Following the preliminary elimination rounds which will end on 2 February, the four zonal semi-finals will be conducted in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Bangalore beginning 8 February, 2007 followed by the mega final showdown at the Atria Mall in Mumbai on 28 February, 2007.

Animax country head Sunder Aaron says, “Through the Animax Grand Gaming Challenge, Animax proudly supports a very important and growing activity for the wired generation: gaming. While the core mission of Animax is to entertain youth, we also want to reflect and support the developing interests and passions of India’s Wired Generation. Working with Sify on the AGGC will truly boost the competition as they are the nationwide leader in online gaming.”

Sify Ltd. president Access Media Pijush Kanti Das adds, “We are delighted to partner with the Animax Grand Gaming Challenge ’07, the largest online gaming tournament across 220 Sify Gamedromes in 66 cities. Our successful association with Animax in the past has encouraged us to back this tournament with aggressive promotional activities across the country. This year, apart from the multiplayer games we have added single player games to the portfolio of the tournament to increase the number of gamers.”