Vancouver-based esports event management organization Galint Gaming is launching a first-of-its-kind fusion of South Asian culture and video gaming with the Pataka Esports Festival, taking place this October 19th-20th in Surrey, BC. The two-day celebration will combine traditional Diwali festivities including dancing, decor, and a dinner buffet with a variety of events for popular video game titles such as Super Smash Bros., Street Fighter, and Dance Dance Revolution. The event aims to bring together members of the local South Asian community and the ever-growing esports scene in Metro Vancouver for a weekend of competition, entertainment, and fun.
“As a teen entering competitive gaming, I rarely saw South Asian players on the main stage, but the few that I did encounter inspired me, showing that someone like me could succeed in esports,” said Galint Gaming CEO and head event organizer Kevin Dhir. “Pataka Esports Festival isn’t just a Diwali celebration or a gaming event—it’s about uplifting underrepresented talent and creating spaces where diversity thrives and everyone feels empowered.”
Galint Gaming, the organization behind Pataka Esports Festival, has previously hosted several other esports and gaming events in the Lower Mainland, including their Battle of BC series which brought over 1,200 attendees from around the world to the Vancouver Convention Centre this past March in its sixth iteration. For Pataka, they decided to try something new with a community-focused celebration that is able to foster a more personal and approachable atmosphere for newcomers to competitive gaming than some of their flagship events.
“At Galint Gaming, we believe in creating esports events that are more than just tournaments,” said Kevin Dhir. “When thinking about what to host this Fall, the idea of a Diwali-themed event felt right. While holidays like Halloween and Christmas are often celebrated in gaming, Diwali has never been represented despite its global significance. So, we’re creating a festival that brings the joy and vibrant atmosphere of an Indian wedding, all centered around gaming.”
That being said, the festival is still attracting its fair share of top-level talent, with competitors like the world’s rank number one Super Smash Bros. Melee player, Zain Naghmi, and Canada’s highest-ranked competitor for the same title, Kurtis “moky” Pratt, registered to compete. They will be joined by hundreds of other attendees who will be competing in the events’ open-bracket tournaments while they enjoy the rest of the weekend’s festivities and experience the joy of Diwali.
Pataka Esports Festival kicks off on Saturday, October 19th at the Crown Palace Banquet Hall in Surrey with an opening ceremony led by the Langara College Bhangra Club, followed by competitive tournament brackets for popular rhythm and fighting games that will take place throughout the weekend. The event will also feature a collection of vendor booths at the Pataka Bazaar, festive decorations and activities like henna tattoos and traditional diya lanterns, and more programming still to be announced. Indian food will be served during Saturday evening’s banquet and gala and Sunday’s lunch buffet, with an unlimited meal pass available to purchase for attendees who plan to attend both days of the event. Festivities will conclude on Sunday night with an in-venue afterparty featuring music from local DJ talent.
Tickets for Pataka Esports Fesitval are available now on Eventbrite with registration for the event’s competitive tournament brackets on Start.gg. Single-day and weekend passes will also be offered at the door, but competitors should be sure to purchase tickets and sign up for tournament brackets online prior to the event. For more information and to keep up with all the latest announcements, you can follow Pataka on X at @PatakaEsports.
About Galint
Galint Gaming is a Canadian esports event management company specializing in experiences, community, and technology. To learn more, visit Galint’s website at galint.gg or follow them on X at @GalintGaming
