Team Atlantis’ William Yeoh Kwok Teong, Denise Danial Abdullah, Chung Wei Shen, Ahmad Ayhad Husam, Pang Sze Xuan, and Loyd Yong Binjie will represent the country in the Dota 2 open category. — Photos: Valve
The Malaysian contingent is departing today for the inaugural Commonwealth Esports Championships.
The pilot event, the result of a partnership between the Global Esports Federation and the Commonwealth Games Federation, will feature three titles – Dota 2, eFootball and Rocket League.
It will be held alongside the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, from Aug 6 to 7.
The Malaysia Electronics Sports Federation (MESF) is sending 13 players to compete in two titles, namely Dota 2 and eFootball.
Malaysia is skipping Rocket League, a game by developer Psyonix that has been described as “football meets cars”.
Team Atlantis’ William Yeoh Kwok Teong, Denise Danial Abdullah, Chung Wei Shen, Ahmad Ayhad Husam, Pang Sze Xuan, and Loyd Yong Binjie will represent the country in the Dota 2 open category. Yong Wen Hao is the team coach.
Mohamad Norhaikal upped training to 10 hours a day and ran 3km daily to prepare for the tournament. — MOHAMAD NORHAIKAL
For the female Dota 2 category, it will be Team Grills Gaming, comprising Stephanie Lim Yuen Lii, Bette Chia Hooi Ping, Tan Lyn Xhin, Nadrah Saufi, Wong Wei Sian and Lim Chern Tze. The team coach is Loh Yong Heng.
Stephanie told Berita RTM she has always wanted to represent the country in an esports tournament.
“This event is a chance for me to realise that dream,” she said.
Grills Gaming booked a spot in the tournament after defeating Singapore and Sri Lanka in the Southeast Asia/South Asia qualifiers.
In a separate interview with MyGameOn, the esport athletes said the team spends four to five hours training per day, including watching replays. They also play in ranked games to improve team chemistry and communication skills.
Despite facing obstacles, including outside the game arena – the girls claimed that they were cheated out of their prize money by tournament organisers – they are soldiering on with the aim of making Malaysia proud at the Commonwealth Esports Championships.
For the eFootball title by Konami, MESF has chosen Mohamad NorHaikal Mohamad Noh.
Mohamad Norhaikal, who emerged as champion in the Malaysia qualifier and represented the country in PES 2020 at the Piala Presiden Esports 2020 in Jakarta, Indonesia, has upped his training intensity.
“I have increased my training time from eight to 10 hours a day. In addition, I engaged in friendly matches with some of Asia’s best players and I ran 3km every day to stay in the best shape,” he said, adding that he is excited to represent Malaysia.
Afiq Fadhli says MESF’s new logo represents nobility, strength, bravery and determination. — MESF
Participating in an international tournament will be a feather in his cap, said Mohamad Norhaikal, adding that the experience will make him more mature.
“Even though there is no running or sweating in this sport, it is mentally and physically demanding,” he said.
Shaharil Shaifuddin Shaharuddin has been named the coach for the football game, while Afiq Fadhli Narawi, the MESF deputy president, will be leading the contingent as team manager.
MESF announced a new Harimau Malaya-inspired logo while sharing that it aspires to push the esports industry forward on the local and international stage.
“The new logo encapsulates our Harimau Malaya, which represents nobility, strength, bravery and determination.
“A tiger is fearless in the face of obstacles and is resilient in all situations. And that is what MESF, its members and players are made of,” he said.
MESF, the governing body for esports, announced that Sukan Malaysia (Sukma Games) 2022, to be held from Sept 16 to 24 in Kuala Lumpur, will feature two core titles – Mobile Legends and PUBG. Other titles may be added depending on demand.
