KUALA LUMPUR: The blueprint on the development of electronic sports (esports) in Malaysia is expected to be ready by April, said Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (pix).
He said the blueprint focuses on five main strategies, namely the development of athletes towards esports excellence; support for the growth of the esports industry; access to better esports facilities to attract investors; building public awareness and promoting responsible games; and instilling good governance and administration in the esports industry.
“The ministry through the National Sports Council is drawing up the first blueprint for electronic sports in Malaysia which will allow for the structured planning and implementation of esports programmes for more holistic development, from the grassroots to the international level,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Syed Saddiq was replying to a question from Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (PH-Masjid Tanah) who wanted to know the ministry’s programme to attract youths to esports, in line with the Industrial Revolution 4.0.
He said a special committee involved in drawing up the blueprint includes esports enthusiasts as well as industry personalities.
Syed Saddiq also said the ministry was working with Esports Malaysia (ESM) to organise electronic sports leagues to determine the ranking of players according to the events they participate.
He said the ESM would organise esports competitions at the state, national and international levels to identify more youths who are active in electronic sports.
Esports, he said, would also create job opportunities and boost the country’s economy through technology and tourism.
“Malaysia is 21st in ranking in the global market for esports. In fact, Razer, the largest esports company, has employed 280 youths at its new headquarters in Malaysia,” he said.
Replying to a supplementary question from Mas Ermieyati on the esports training platform for rural youths who may have problems with the broadband system, Syed Saddiq said the ministry was working with the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia, as well as the private sector to expand the development of the sports.
“We will start the selection process for national esports athletes this month and we will be going to all parts of Malaysia to ensure that the process is more inclusive,” he said. — Bernama
