
E-sports hub in KL Sports City expected to open in 2026
KUALA LUMPUR: An e-sports centre developed by the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) is scheduled to commence operation next year.
Youth and Sports deputy minister Adam Adli Abdul Halim said details on the operation of the e-sports centre are expected to be announced in September.
"It is currently still in the process of issuing tender and so on; we do expect it to be used in 2026.
"This e-sports centre is not limited to just one component but can also be used as a multi-purpose hall. We want to ensure that the resources we have are used optimally," he said.
He told reporters after the closing ceremony of the Asean Youth E-Sports Championship (AEYSC) 2025 near Puchong today.
Also present were Youth and Sports minister Hannah Yeoh, KBS secretary-general Dr K. Nagulendran, and Malaysian Electronic Sports Federation (MESF) president Muhammad Naim Al Amin Saharudin.
In December, Hannah announced that no new stadium would be built; instead, one of the facilities at KL Sports City, Bukit Jalil, here, would be converted into an e-sports centre.
Meanwhile, Adam said his ministry was satisfied with the organisation of the AEYSC 2025 by MESF, which had successfully gathered players and e-sports stakeholders from Southeast Asia.
Although only one game was offered, namely eFootball Mobile, Adam Adli hoped that the organisation of the tournament could be the starting point for a bigger competition organised by other Asean countries in the future.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian team emerged as the overall champion of the AEYSC 2025 by sweeping all three gold medals on offer, namely the men's singles, women's singles, and mixed doubles.
Malaysia took home two silvers, followed by Thailand with one silver and two bronze medals, while Myanmar won one bronze.– BERNAMA
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Express
an hour ago
- Daily Express
Malaysia should prioritise local footballers: Train them to be world beaters
Published on: Monday, June 23, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jun 23, 2025 By: James Wong Text Size: We were at par with South Korea and Japan then, but look at the two countries now, they are miles ahead of us, while we are left struggling to beat teams even from the Asean region. Kota Kinabalu: THE Malaysian national team seems to be going through a very drastic change. Lately, the national team won with a handsome 4-0 drubbing of Vietnam. For a long while, Malaysia had found it very difficult to beat Vietnam even with some heritage players in the team. Now with the addition of naturalised players, the combination with the heritage players has given the team much more depth in quality. A clear picture was the win against Vietnam where there were nine heritage and naturalised players in the starting 11. The only locals on the list were Arif Aiman and goalkeeper Syihan Hazmi. Not forgetting on the bench, there were some more heritage and naturalised players. While we support the national team to win, the feeling of a victory is not comparable to a national team with its own local players winning. Subscribe or LOG IN to access this article. Support Independant Journalism Subscribe to Daily Express Malaysia Access to DE E-Paper Access to DE E-Paper Exclusive News Exclusive News Invites to special events Invites to special events Giveaways & Rewards 1-Year Most Popular (Income Tax Deductible) Explore Plans Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia


Borneo Post
9 hours ago
- Borneo Post
More than a game: How a Miri lass made Scrabble a global bridge
The participants focus on their game during ASCI 2025 at the KPPI in UM, Kuala Lumpur. WHEN 22-year-old Vanessa Ting Mei Yu stood in the heart of the buzzing Research and Innovation Management Complex (KPPI) at Universiti Malaya (UM) in Kuala Lumpur, surrounded by rows of Scrabble boards and focused players from across the globe, she was not just witnessing a tournament. The young woman was truly living her dream. A second-year pharmacy student from Miri, Vanessa had just led one of the biggest students-run Scrabble tournaments in the world – the ASTAR Scrabble Challenge International (ASCI) 2025. 'Becoming the director of ASCI really pushed me to a level that I never imagined,' she told thesundaypost in Kuching. 'There were moments when I doubted myself, but then, I reminded myself that I was doing this not just for the event, but to prove what students like us were capable of.' The recent ASCI 2025 brought together around 230 players of different ages and backgrounds, not only from Malaysia but also from countries such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, Sweden, New Zealand, Thailand, and the Philippines. The event was organised by the committee of UM's First Residential College (KK1), endorsed by the Malaysian Scrabble Association (MSA), and sanctioned by the World English Scrabble Players Association (WESPA). Over the years, ASCI has earned the reputation as one of the most recognised international Scrabble competitions. This year's edition featured a mix of seasoned veterans and enthusiastic newcomers, ranging in ages from 10 to 86. Among them was the legendary Nigel Richards, widely hailed as the 'Greatest of All Time' (GOAT) having clinched five 'World Scrabble Championships' in English, as well as in French. His presence added prestige and excitement to an already-electrifying tournament. Players competed in four main categories: Under-12, Under-15, Under-18, and Open. Guiding the organising team alongside Vanessa were advisors Dr Mohd Nur Ashraf Mohd Yusoff and Nor Arissa Yasmin Abdul Mo'men, whose experience was invaluable throughout the months of preparation. What made ASCI 2025 truly special was not just its size, but also the dedication, the teamwork and the heart that brought it all together. Legendary Scrabbler, Nigel Richards (front) seen during the intense ASCI 2025's Masters game. He won the category. Leadership with a mission Vanessa's journey with ASCI began last year when she first served as its treasurer, and later, she stepped up as director – a bold move motivated by a desire to grow and create something meaningful. 'I wanted to challenge myself. Being part of the team made me realise how much potential ASCI had to become something lasting and impactful,' she said. 'I learned so much, especially about leadership, communication, and working with people,' she added. Balancing academic life with the responsibilities of running an international event was not easy, though. From handling venue logistics and registrations, to managing a team and handling endless messages, Vanessa was constantly on her feet. Still, her persistence paid off. The tournament ran seamlessly and drew the attention of the global Scrabble community. 'I wanted ASCI to be more than just a competition,' she said. 'I wanted it to be a space where young people could learn, connect and feel inspired – all through Scrabble.' Vanessa (left) and fellow member of the organising committee seen at the ASCI 2025. More than just a game To some people, Scrabble may look like a quiet board game, but at the competitive level, it is a fast-paced mental battleground. Every move demands sharp strategy, strong command in vocabulary, and a calm focus. 'Scrabble is where language meets logic,' said Vanessa. 'It's not just about fancy words, as it is also about quick thinking, staying calm, and adapting as the game unfolds.' Since its debut in 2006, ASCI has grown into one of Southeast Asia's most respected Scrabble tournaments. According to Vanessa, Scrabble is a game where language meets logic. Aside from a one-year pause in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it has been held annually and has consistently attracted passionate players from across the region. Beyond gameplay, ASCI upholds the values of the '3Ms': 'Membaca', 'Menulis', 'Mengira' (Reading, Writing, Arithmetic), while fostering critical-thinking and global friendships. This year's event also hosted some of the top-ranked global players like Hubert Wee and Toh Wei Bin from Singapore, and Thacha Koowirat from Thailand, as well as Malaysia's own elite William Kang and Ahmad Amirul Hakimi. Also present were international icons like Manop Phiphatboonserm of Thailand, Douglas Tsang of Hong Kong, and Mohamad Ali Ismail, the president of the MSA. Young players attempt to outdo one another in their category. Sarawak pride on the board Vanessa was not the only one flying the Sarawak flag high. Three young players – Delbert Tiong Guo-Yi, Herby Liew Yong He, and Shelifina Dangkan – represented the state with pride and passion. For Delbert, ASCI 2025 was deeply meaningful. 'It was a proud and unforgettable experience. I wasn't just playing for myself, but for Sarawak and everyone who has supported me,' said the student from Catholic High School in Sibu. One of his highlights was finally beating his long-time Malaysian rival Dresden Lim, who had previously defeated him by over 100 points at a previous World Youth Scrabble Championship. 'This time, I won and it meant the world to me. It felt like all the hard work finally paid off.' Herby, from SMK Simunjan No 1, echoed that sentiment. 'There aren't many Scrabble players in Sarawak, so I really hope that my journey would encourage more people to give it a try, even if it's just for fun.' His toughest challenge came from Tsang, whom he faced three times. 'I won two of those games. It was intense, but I stayed focused and calm.' Herby, who placed second in the Open category, accepts the prize from UM First Residential College principal Dr Mohd Istajib Mokhtar (right), as Mohamad Ali looks on. For Shelifina, it was her first time competing outside Sarawak, and the experience left a lasting impression. 'It felt surreal. I met so many amazing players, even some of my idols,' said the student from SMK Pending in Kuching. She said her most memorable game was against a player named Marten. 'I was leading until he played a bingo, 'REAPINGS', followed by 'QAID' for 72 points. That game really taught me the importance of tile tracking.' Shelifina maintains focus on her strategy during her round. All these three young Sarawakians shared a dream: to see ASCI hosted in their home state one day. Delbert expressed hope that fellow Scrabblers from other countries could experience Sarawak's unique diversity and breathtaking landscapes. Stating similar sentiments, Herby wanted visitors to feel the warmth and hospitality of Sarawakians. For Shelifina, she knew exactly what she would share first. 'They should visit Sarawak Cultural Village and not leave without trying the 'kolo mee' and Sarawak Laksa!' Delbert arranges the letter pieces for word options to be placed on the Scrabble board. Building bridges ASCI 2025 was never just about high scores or titles, as it was also about new friendships, lasting lessons, and the belief that when young people got entrusted and empowered, they could create something incredible. For Vanessa, the most rewarding part was watching people come together. 'What touched me most was how Scrabble brought everyone together. People of all ages and backgrounds bonded over the same board. 'I hope that the ASCI would continue to grow and maybe one day, could make its way to Sarawak. 'Scrabble is more than just a game – it's a bridge between people, places, and ideas, and I'd love to see more people experience that.' bridge global kuala lumpur miri Scrabble Vanessa Ting Mei Yu


Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Borneo Post
E-sports athletes to undergo bootcamps before SEA games selection
File photo for illustration purposes. – AFP photo KUALA LUMPUR (June 27): Malaysian e-sports athletes vying for a spot at the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand will undergo a series of bootcamps to evaluate their readiness and commitment. Malaysia Esports Federation (MESF) president Muhammad Naim Al-Amin said the bootcamps, scheduled between September and November, will involve intensive training, match simulations, gameplay analysis, professional coaching, as well as mental preparation and patriotic elements 'Selection will not be based solely on current performance. Athletes must attend several bootcamps during which we will assess their performance and commitment before naming the final squad,' he said yesterday. He also confirmed that eFootball Mobile will not be featured in the upcoming SEA Games. Muhammad Naim said the host nation has confirmed four titles for competition: Mobile Legends Bang Bang, Arena Of Valor, FC Online and Free Fire. 'We will be competing in all four titles. At present, we have a longlist of players for each game,' he added. At the previous edition in Cambodia, Malaysia secured two silver and two bronze medals in e-sports. The country last won gold in the discipline at the 2019 SEA Games in the Philippines through Dr Yew Weng Kean. – Bernama bootcamp e-sports Muhammad Naim Al-Amin Sea Games