By Zareef Muzammil
SHAH ALAM, Dec 1 — Almost eight million interactions were recorded through five e-sport events broadcasted live during the movement control order (MCO) period.
State executive councillor for youth and sports development Mohd Khairuddin Othman said the active virtual programme organised by the state government saw 237,606 participation in the PlayerUnknown’s Battleground (PUBG) Mobile Legend, marathon run, martial arts, FIFA and youth busking performances.
“Selangor is among the earliest states in the country to organise active virtual programmes and we even have interactive events that even reached Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and the United Kingdom.
“We offer attractive cash prizes to all participants because we believe this will encourage active involvement among the youth in sports activities,” said Mohd Khairuddin during the Bual Bicara talk show titled ‘Employment Opportunity, Harnessing Youth’s Potentials’ (Peluang Kerja, Gilap Potensi Anak Muda) broadcasted live on Media Selangor Facebook page last night.
Mohd Khairuddin said the MCO had not deterred the state government from identifying new mechanisms that are able to attract the youths’ interest and believe that the development of e-sports would be able to provide a platform to train them to compete professionally in the future.
The 2021 Selangor Budget had allocated RM3 million for the e-sports industry as part of the state’s digitalisation agenda.
Its Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said the initiative that targets youth serves as an impetus for the e-sports ecosystem through the organisation of amateur championships.
