RM20mil to level up e-sports with stadium, content creation training, says Zahid

ISKANDAR PUTERI: The RM20mil allocated for e-sports under Budget 2025 will be used to fortify its ecosystem with infrastructure and training, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said that RM10mil will go towards building a dedicated e-sports stadium, while the remaining RM10mil will support training and other e-sports-related activities.

“We would like to thank Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for allocating RM20mil towards the development of Malaysia’s e-sports sector.

“Sarawak’s actually conducted a proactive approach in e-sports education, specifically through the Centre of Technical Excellence Sarawak (Centexs),” he said.

He said this when met after officiating Season 14 of the Mobile Legends Professional League (MPL) Malaysia at the Educity Sports Complex here on Sunday (Nov 3).

Zahid added that Centexs has established technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programmes focused exclusively on e-sports, aiming to equip students with skills tailored to this growing industry.

“In addition to technical training, Centexs is offering courses in content creation, including the development of Malaysia-specific e-sports content.

“Sarawak is also constructing a stadium exclusively for e-sports events, underscoring the state’s commitment to positioning itself at the forefront of this dynamic field.

“Johor might feel challenged as Sarawak has already taken these pioneering steps,” Zahid said, adding that the Johor State Government should consider similar investments in e-sports infrastructure and training.

He also said that the potential of e-sports to evolve beyond traditional indoor gaming, emphasising that content creators in this field could significantly impact the industry.

“This is a sport that deserves more promotion and expansion. In the future, content creators could generate substantial economic benefits for the industry,” he said.

More to come.