E-sports challenge offers chance for youths to show skills

Youths joining an e-sports festival held in 2019 in Penang.

THE Youth e-Sports Challenge 2021 is seeking to connect young Malaysians through the world of online games.

Featuring the ‘Honor of Kings’ game, the national competition is set to begin with preliminary rounds on June 24 followed by semi-finals and finals from July 17.

Penang youth and sports committee chairman Soon Lip Chee said the competition was endorsed by the state government in collaboration with SEGi University and Colleges.

“Registration is now open until June 20 and there is a total prize pool worth over RM30,000 in cash and other awards.

“I urge young people across the country and particularly youths in Penang to take this opportunity to showcase their talent.

“Many citizens including youths are having a tough time dealing with the pandemic.

“As such, the launching of this competition is timely.

“This contest will help develop our youths for a future in the e-sports industry, ” he said during the launching via Zoom.

SEGi Group of Colleges chief executive officer Stella Lau, who was present, said the competition was organised to inspire the younger generation to view e-sports as a platform to develop critical interpersonal skills required for the 21st century.

“Through the world of e-sports, youths will get to muster important skills like strategic thinking and coping with group dynamics when under pressure.

“The education industry must respond and adapt quickly to the times.

“Informal learning platforms like e-sports are good ways for young people to develop their character while doing what they love, ” she said.

Penang Youth Development Corporation (PYDC) general manager Gwee Sai Ling said the corporation aimed to offer more e-sports development programmes in the future.

They include short courses on game development, 3D animation, business in e-sports industry and even e-sports training boot camps.

“PYDC is eager to start a new revolution in the Penang e-sports community, ” said Gwee.

For more details or to join the Youth e-Sports Challenge 2021, the public may log on to the SEGi Group of Colleges’ Facebook page or call 016-551 9881.

The public may also call PYDC at 012-401 0186 or log on to PYDC’s Facebook page.

The semi-finals and finals will be streamed live via PYDC and SEGi Group of Colleges social media sites.