By Amar Shah Mohsen
SHAH ALAM, Sept 13 — Selangor Red Giants (SRG), the state’s e-sports team that triumphed in a recent world tournament, will have a rare meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim next week to discuss the industry’s future.
State executive councillor for youth, sports, and entrepreneurship Mohd Najwan Halimi said he will lead the SRG management in the meeting to explore the potential for Federal government support in the e-sports ecosystem.
“Last week, we heard the Prime Minister announcing a RM15 million allocation for Harimau Malaya.”
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State executive councillor for youth, sports, and entrepreneurship Mohd Najwan Halimi speaks as a guest on Selangor Journal’s talk show 'Lunch on Us!', at Media Selangor in Shah Alam on September 11, 2024. — Picture by SELANGOR JOURNAL[/caption]
“I think it is only fair if (the government) can actually develop our e-sports industry too and give the same attention (as football) because we have proven (ourselves) by winning the World Cup,” he said during Selangor Journal’s talk show Lunch on Us! yesterday.
Last Tuesday (September 3), Anwar announced that RM15 million has been allocated to elevate the national football team, Harimau Malaya, into a football giant in Asia.
In July, SRG defeated the Philippines’ Falcons AP Bren Sport 4-3 to win the Mid Season Cup Mobile Legends Bang Bang (MLBB) 2024.
Raja Muda Selangor Tengku Amir Shah praised the victory as an ‘extraordinary’ achievement that brought pride to the entire nation and placed Malaysia on the world map as a respected and formidable force in the international MLBB arena.
Najwan said the victory serves as an eye-opener for many other states to similarly invest in e-sports.
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Selangor FC pose with the Sultan of Selangor Cup trophy at Merdeka Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, on August 17, 2024. — Picture by AHMAD ZAKKI JILAN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
Delivering silverware
Separately, he said that while Selangor FC has been mired by a number of on- and off-field developments and incidents, he is hopeful the state’s football team will be able to deliver at least one major silverware by next year.
Although this is short of the state’s goal to bag all three of the Super League, Malaysia Cup and the Malaysia Games men’s football event — as pledged in its state election manifesto — Najwan believes recent developments make the single trophy target a more realistic one.
“I have actually met with Selangor FC’s management recently to discuss and identify what they need from the state government and on football development.
“Hopefully, the management will prove themselves by delivering at least one cup,” he said.
On February 28, Tan Cheng Hoe announced his sudden departure as Selangor FC head coach, just a week ahead of the new season. The club has since appointed Nidzam Jamil as a replacement.
Later on May 5, Selangor FC star winger Mohamad Faisal Abdul Halim was on the receiving end of an acid attack that left him hospitalised and requiring multiple surgeries.
While he has since returned to full fitness, Selangor FC suffered another setback last month when they were trounced by Johor Darul Ta’zim 6-1 in the FA Cup final.
Najwan said the team has moved on from these events, learning from their past experiences and vowing to improve to ensure the trust and loyalty of the fans are not diminished.
He said Faisal’s spirit and road to recovery, in particular, has given a major boost to the team.
“Faisal has given inspiration to the whole team. We believe Selangor will definitely buck up and improve,” the councillor said.
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Selangor FC supports cheering the team on during the FA Cup final match against Johor Darul Ta'zim FC at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, on August 24, 2024. — Picture by MOHD KHAIRUL HELMY MOHD DIN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
