IPOH – The RM700,000 allocation provided under the 2021 state budget for e-sports is a proactive measure taken by the state government to encourage youth participation in the new sport.
State Youth, Sports, Communications and Multimedia Committee chairman Khairul Shahril Mohamed said the allocation, among others, is able to unearth new talents to represent the state and the country in e-sports tournaments.
“E-sports had been accepted as a sport in the Malaysian Games (Sukma) and SEA Games. Through the allocation, we can organise various tournaments that can serve as a platform to unearth new talents.
“We also want to educate young people to see this sport in a broader context, not just as a hobby but they can turn it into a full-time career,” he told a press conference after attending the Perak Electronic Sports Association dinner here, last night.
Khairul Shahril said through the allocation, more programmes could be held to introduce e-sports to the various communities in the state.
Meanwhile, he said Perak has set a target of one gold from the five e-sports events to be contested in the 20th edition of Sukma which is scheduled to be held in Johor from July 11 to 19.
“We do not set a target for a specific event but I hope we will be able to win a gold medal from the five events to be contested, namely Defense of the Ancients (Dota 2), FIFA 21, PES 21, PlayerUknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) dan Mobile Legends,” he said. – Bernama, January 4, 2021
