The First ever eSports Academy in Penang Opens

"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." For avid gamers, playing professionally is now viable option despite the stereotypes that surround the profesion as the popularity of eSports is constantly on the rise in Malaysia.

Back in August, the Malaysian Dota 2 women’s team made the country proud when they clinched the gold medal at the Commonwealth eSports Championship 2022.

The prize money for competitions can be extremely lucrative, with the internationally renowned event ESL One Malaysia held here last month offering a prize pool of $400,000 or approximately RM1.8 million. There are organisations in our country dedicated to pursuing eSports with professional teams that compete in various Southeast Asian tournaments such as SEM9.

According to Buletin Mutiara, in recognition of the growth of the esports industry, the Penang state government has established the very first Penang eSports Academy to encourage the growth of eSports in the state.

It will also be used as the main training centre for eSports athletes representing Penang at the KL SUKMA 2022. Chief Minister of Penang, Chow Kon Yeow mentioned that they had put in RM200,000 to set up the academy, which is located on Level 3 of Komtar.

The academy, which is managed by the Penang State Sports Council (MSNPP), has 12 units of premium gaming PCs, two PlayStation 5 consoles, furniture, as well as other necessary facilities.

Chow said, “This eSports academy will serve as a special centre to train those who are interested in this field, especially the youth. We will also instil good sportsmanship so that the public will not have a negative perception towards eSports players. I hope that through this academy, we will be able to nurture and produce high-quality eSports players who can represent the state and country and make us proud.”

The academy, which is open to the public and state athletes, operates from Wednesdays to Sundays from 1.00 p.m. to 9.00pm. Early booking is required due to limited places. Reservations can be made on MSNPP’s website.

Image source: facebook.com/MSNPulauPinang