By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Nov 11: The Sarawak e-sports team emerged as champions in the recent Mobile Legends Challenge BSN 2019 tournament in Bukit Jalil.
Disclosing this as an achievement in the state’s participation in e-sports, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah today said Sarawak is preparing for e-sports under Sarawak Sports Corporation and Sarawak State Sports Council (MSN) as it has been added to the 20th Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA XX) .
SUKMA XX will three e-sports tournament categories contested, namely DOTA, Mobile Legends and Pro Evolution Soccer (PES).
Abdul Karim said a jointly organised tournament in April 2019 at CityOne Megamall has enabled the Sarawak E-sports Association to scout for talent and it has created a milestone for the e-sports arena to develop and grow throughout Sarawak, following the first national win in Bukit Jalil.
Meanwhile, on SUKMA XX which will be on July 11-19, 2020 in Johor, Abdul Karim who is also Asajaya assemblyman said the Sarawak contingent will take part in all 32 sports.
“The three main venues for next year’s SUKMA are Johor Bahru, Muar and Kota Tinggi. We have started the preparation for all competing teams since 2018 with the assistance of the High Performances Unit of MSN Sarawak together with other relevant agencies and local sports associations.
“Our preparation includes intensive training by phases that will start early next year for medal prospect sports.”
On Sukan Sarawak (SUKSAR), he said the second SUKSAR will be hosted by Miri division from December 9 to 13.
“SUKSAR is a state-level sporting event that brings out new promising talents across all sports while continuing to develop their true potential, and at the same time bring back the past glory of sports in Sarawak and to a higher level.
“A total of 1,728 participants including athletes and officials are expected to participate in SUKSAR II Miri 2019.” — DayakDaily
