'Fafau' tells Malaysian women's gamers to boost mental power

New Straits Times

18-05-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: To do better than bronze at the Sea Games two years ago, Malaysia's female Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) players must strengthen their minds.
This was stated by Nurul Effa Fauzana "Fafau" Fauzi. Nurul was part of the team that won Malaysia's first ever Sea Games medal in eSports (for women), in 2023 in Phnom Penh.
While the national squad for the Thailand Sea Games in December have not been finalised, Nurul and her team, NAVI MY, will compete in the World Cup x MLBB Women's Invitational and the World Esports Championships in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, later this year.
"The main area we need to improve on is our mental strength," said Nurul.
"As long as we possess mental resilience and a burning desire to win, we are capable of bettering our bronze-medal finish in Phnom Penh."
Nurul and her NAVI MY teammates have been competing in Season 3 of the MLBB Academy League (MAL) against male teams.
Although they lost all their five matches so far, Nurul said facing male opponents has been a valuable experience for them.
"We are using the MAL as a platform to mentally prepare ourselves for high-pressure tournaments.
"There is no women's league in Malaysia, so playing against the boys provides us with vital match experience.