Last week, a Malaysian professional Dota 2 player just snatched second place at an international tournament. This is one of the many proofs that the potential of electronic sports (e-sports) in Malaysia is ever-growing. Therefore, the Malaysian e-sports industry players are hoping for the inclusion of infrastructure and grassroots programmes development in Budget 2022, to unearth new talent.

The Budget 2022 is set to be tabled this Friday (29 October 2021). 

Finance in the e-sports industry is vital

International e-sports player Muhammad Mukhriz Lutfi Fariq Adlan voiced that there are still many shortcomings in terms of financing in the field. 

Our community seems isolated there are still many who do not know its potential or the income it generates. An income derived from e-sports is actually all right but less than if sponsorship is involved.

Muhammad Mukhriz Lutfi Fariq Adlan

Muhammad Mukhriz used football as an example, where players have the opportunity to develop themselves when there is sponsorship. According to him, the outcome of sponsorship can be seen in terms of performance. The e-sport player explained as he stressed the importance of sponsorship for the industry at the e-sports hub, HomeBois yesterday.

The “Iron Pro”, Muhammad Mukhirz further the discussion to the necessity to create an academy to source new talents in the industry. This is because there are no specific platforms for grassroots programmes in the country yet.

Similarly, HomeBois production manager Mohamad Nor Mohd Mochtar agree with the statement. 

Malaysia is indeed a country that has proven talent abroad and there may be many talents that have not been identified so with the allocation in this Budget, we can unearth new talent.

Mohamad Nor Mohd Mochtar

The manager said that previous allocations have to some extent helped in creating public awareness and understanding about e-sports.

Government to ensure support for the e-sports industry

On the other hand, Deputy Finance Minister I Mohd Shahar Abdullah said that the industry has high commercial value and was able to generate income for young Malaysians.

According to Mohd Shahar, the Finance Ministry has been giving allocations to support and encourage the development of the industry. Previously, the government had announced an allocation of RM45 million to develop the e-sports industry in Malaysia.

Thus, he said the government would continue to give support to the e-sports industry under Budget 2022. 

(Source: Bernama)