Beijing, Feb 23 (INP) - Most teachers would not be impressed to discover a student playing video games in their class. But at a school in eastern China it is mandatory, part of a drive to train eSport champions and tap into the booming industry. “Dammit, I’m dead!” exclaims one student at the Lanxiang Technical School in eastern Jinan province as dozens of his classmates who are still in the game continue to furiously bash their keyboards. Once associated with teenagers stuck in their bedrooms, eSports – where players square off in lucrative video game tournaments – are growing fast. Chinese internet research company iResearch estimates 260 million people are already playing eSport games or watching competitions in the country, with the biggest bouts playing out to thousands of spectators in stadiums and many more online. The growth shows no signs of slowing. Market research firm Newzoo estimates that the eSport industry will be worth $906 million in global revenues in 2018, a 38.2 percent increase from last year. China alone will account for 18 percent. Gaming has become a team sport at 910 universities across the Asian country, but there is also an increase in educational establishments, such as Lanxiang Technical, actively teaching the skills needed for eSports success. Around 50 students signed up for its inaugural eSports course, which launched in September. “At first, many parents thought it was just about playing video games,” school director Rong Lanxiang, told AFP. “In fact, it’s not the case, eSport is developing to a very high degree and it’s become an economic growth driver.” Inp/khan