By Zareef Muzammil
SHAH ALAM, July 15 — The state's e-sports competition and robotics skills programme, Selangor XTIV, has been met with a positive response with some 1,712 youths taking part, some of whom are from abroad.
State executive councillor for sports Mohd Khairuddin Othman said Selangor XTIV combines both robotics and e-sports, with individuals aged eight to 17 competing for a total prize of RM24,000.
He said the event, which has been running for the past three years, serves as a platform to develop e-sports talent and expose youths to artificial intelligence (AI).
"We approach youths in programmes which incorporate the latest technologies, in line with the Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0), and equip them with current skills so they are not left behind.
"Alhamdulillah, the number of participants today is very good, as we understand there are participants from Negeri Sembilan and Melaka, including those who have played at the highest level," Mohd Khairuddin said.
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State executive councillor for sports Mohd Khairuddin Othman (second from left) observes as participants of the Selangor XTIV e-sports competition and robotics skills programme handle radio-controlled cars, during the event at Econsave supermarket's car park at Paya Jaras, Sungai Buloh, on July 15, 2023. — Picture by NUR ADIBAH AHMAD IZAM/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
Speaking to SelangorKini after officiating Selangor XTIV at the Econsave supermarket's car park at Paya Jaras, Sungai Buloh, he said the state government remains concerned about the needs and interests of Selangor's youth.
"We will provide what they want, rather than what the state government wants, so this event is actually an important network we have with youths.
"Hopefully programmes like this will encourage them to continue actively participating in e-sports, as well as seek opportunities in technology skills," Mohd Khairuddin said.
The second part of Selangor XTIV is scheduled to take place at Dewan Majlis Perbandaran Kuala Selangor in Saujana Utama, Kuala Selangor, from July 24 to July 25.
Its contests include Robots Dream II, Tamiya, PuBG, Mobile Legends, Fifa Playstation 4, and will also feature a virtual reality (VR) robotics exhibition.
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One participant guides his peer in an F1 racing video game, during the Selangor XTIV e-sports competition and robotics skills programme at Econsave supermarket's car park at Paya Jaras, Sungai Buloh, on July 15, 2023. — Picture by NUR ADIBAH AHMAD IZAM/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
