Melaka polls: BN candidate wants more opportunities for youths to shine in esports

JASIN: Young people must be given opportunities to showcase their potential and talents, including in esports, which has been gaining popularity among the younger generation.

Barisan Nasional candidate for Serkam, Datuk Azman Abdullah, said efforts to engage youths must take into account their differing needs and aspirations according to age groups, rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach.

He said his previous experience in youth leadership had given him a better understanding of their needs, particularly those living in Serkam.

"I was previously involved in youth leadership, starting at the club and village levels before moving on to the district and state levels. I also served as deputy president of a national youth organisation.

"So, I understand what young people want," he said when met at the Melaka Biru Esports Tour programme here last night.

Azman said different age groups had different priorities, making it important for leaders to adopt suitable approaches to understand their aspirations.

He said the growing interest in digital gaming among young people presented opportunities that could be further developed through esports programmes.

"To become a leader, you must first understand what it means to be an ordinary citizen.

"I have been serving elected representatives for more than 10 years.

"I previously worked as a special officer to a member of Parliament and a state assemblyman for three terms," he said.

Azman said he had also sought assistance from a Serkam-born youth who had competed in esports at the international level to help develop programmes that would appeal to young people.

He said the initiative was not merely aimed at organising activities during the 16th Melaka election campaign, but also at gathering feedback from youths on their needs and aspirations.

On BN's election manifesto, Azman urged young voters to study the pledges made by contesting parties, saying they represented commitments to the people should the parties be given the mandate to form the state government.

"Young people must seize this opportunity and thoroughly understand the manifesto.

"A manifesto represents the promises we make to the people in seeking the mandate to govern the state," he said.

Azman is in a three-cornered contest for the Serkam seat against Pakatan Harapan's Muhammad Faiq Azman and Muhammad Saffie Md Yasan from Bersama.