Malaysian eSports' Asiad success triggers a call for more firepower

AICHI: The Malaysia Esports Federation (MESF) wants more athletes and game titles included in the Podium Programme to prepare for the 2027 SEA Games.

The request follows the national eSports squad's strong performance at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, where they won one gold, two silver, and two bronze medals, exceeding their target of one silver and three bronze.

MESF president Naim Al Amin Saharudin said only three titles — Gran Turismo 7 (GT7), eFootball, and Identity V — are under the full-time Podium Programme, while Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) holds part-time status.

He said the medal-winning success of all three full-time titles in Aichi-Nagoya proves the approach works and should be expanded.

"We will apply to include MLBB in the full-time programme so they have more time and space to train together and build team synergy.

"Honor of Kings was also among the medal winners, and we will propose that it be considered as well, in addition to the women's category, which will be contested at the upcoming SEA Games," he said.

At the Aichi-Nagoya Games, Taj Izrin Aiman Taj Madira became Malaysia's first gold medallist in eSports after winning the GT7 event.

The eFootball and Honor of Kings squads won silver, while Identity V and MLBB earned bronze.

Malaysia finished third overall in eSports behind Japan (two gold, one silver, one bronze) and China (two gold, one silver).

Naim said MESF will implement a more comprehensive selection process to form the squad for the 2027 SEA Games.

He said talent scouting will take place at school, university, and open qualifier levels before selected athletes are placed on a longlist.

"After several months of joint training, we will get a shortlist of athletes before they are taken to training camps, either locally or abroad," he said.

Naim added that MESF has requested better training facilities from the National Sports Council (NSC) to accommodate more athletes and titles.

"We are also asking for a better training centre capable of housing all athletes. Currently, we are at NSC, but space is quite limited.

"If necessary, we will search for premises with space to rent so that all athletes can train in greater comfort," he added.