MALAYSIAN EVOLUTION IN JAKARTA
Khairul, NorHaikal game for eSports challenge
THERE will be six eSports games contested at the Asian Games in Indonesia but Malaysia have only managed to get a ticket to one — Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) 2018.
After surviving two qualification rounds, Malaysia will be represented by Muhammad Khairul Abdul Aziz and Mohamad NorHaikal Mohamad Noh.
Khairul is the champion of the Adun Jitra Cup PES 2018 and runner-up in the South Asia qualifiers for Asian Games.
Haikal is the winner of both the Y-Centre PES 2018 World Cup Challenge and Malaysia Qualifier for Asian Games apart from second in the South Asia Qualifiers for hte Asian Games.
The Malaysian duo will be in good company with the likes of Iran (West Asia), Kazakhstan (Central Asia), India (South Asia), Hong Kong and China (East Asia) but they need to wary of challenges from host nation, Indonesia, Japan, creators of PES 2018 and Vietnam.
Despite the tough opponents, eSports Malaysia (ESM) secretary general, Rinie Ramli is optimistic that the boys can finish in the top-three spot.
“To be honest, Malaysia is not the main contender for top medal position but we believe that our players (Khairul and Haikal) can finish in the top three positions.
“For PES, Malaysia are not the favourites and are considered the underdogs.
“Indonesia, Vietnam and Japan are seen as the favourites at the Asian Games,” he said.
Rinie added that the duo have gone through intensive training and their hunger to win will be the factor that drives the 24-yearolds to beat the odds.
Rinie said ESM have received recognition as a national sport as both the current and previous administrations of the sports ministry have been promoting eSport, which could see the building of an e-stadium.
The 2018 Asian Games is set to feature multiple eSports titles such as League of Legends, Hearthstone, PES 2018, Starcraft, Clash Royale and Arena of Valor. The events will make their Asiad debut as an exhibition sport.
The winners will be awarded Asian Games medals but they will not be counted in the overall medals tally. However, eSports will become an official medal sport at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.