KUANTAN: Despite the challenges associated with esports, Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker believes its potential benefits clearly outweigh the risks.

       Ti said among the main difficulties was the negative perception that esports leads to gambling, as well as a lack of understanding on how esports work.

       "There is no doubt that esports in Malaysia has tremendous potential. Marketers should take the opportunity to leverage its growth through effective marketing programmes.

       "However, there is also a possible mismatch in terms of expectations, considering the generational gap between gamers and marketers.

       "We should correct the prejudices.

       "The negativity associated with esports can be overcome with a proactive effort by stakeholders, including esports governing bodies, professional teams, athletes, influencers as well as the corporate and government sectors," he said at the finals of the DSTLK Honour Cup 2022 mobile esports tournament here on Sunday (May 8) night.

       Ti said support for esports could be a game changer that would help boost its growth in the country.

       He called on all parties, including sports bodies, corporations, non-governmental organisations and individuals to come forward and encourage esports players and associations through sponsorships and other forms of support.

       "This will undoubtedly help to strengthen national-level development so that Malaysia's esports ambitions can be realised. Indeed, the success of esports in the country is the responsibility of us all," he said.

       On the part of the ministry, Ti said it was its responsibility and all relevant agencies such as the National Sports Council and the National Youth and Sports Department as well as Impact Integrated Malaysia to ensure that the development of esports was intensified beginning at the grassroots level.

       He said the ministry, through the relevant agencies, was committed to enhance the development of all the athletes in ensuring they were equipped with skills and competencies.

       "This includes the initiative of providing world-class facilities for the. For instance, the launch of the new ESports Integrated (ESI) Hub in Spacerubix, Puchong, Selangor.

       "I am proud to say that this ministry-led initiative of the ESI Hub is a great signal for local esports development.

       "Stakeholders now have access to state-of-the-art facilities for their training programmes, talent search and competitions," he said.

       Ti added that the ESI Hub would become the home for esports in Malaysia and the focal point of the local ecosystem, which would provide opportunities for companies and brands to collaborate and provide sponsorship.

       "From direct engagement to co-organising mini tournaments to brand activation, ESI Hub is suitable for brands that are seeking high-impact engagement with the local esports community.

       "Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to invite all within the esports ecosystem to include ESI Hub as part of their development and training programmes," he said.

       The tournament, organised by Young Malaysians Movement Pahang, saw 16 teams competing in rounds of Honor of Kings for a prize pool of RM20,000.

       The team M8HEXA emerged as champion.