KUALA LUMPUR: The Youth and Sports Ministry will use every platform available to look for Malaysia’s next eSports champions as it begins to seriously consider it a competitive sport.

Rafidah Abu Bakar Lim, assistant director of the Ministry’s recreational sports development branch said it will continue to look for more eSports athletes from among the grassroots in an effort to create a sustainable pool of talent.

“We won’t be able to do this alone. We need partners to help us search for them,” she said.

She said passionate gamers could have a chance at representing the country in the sport.

Rafidah added that local platforms such as the Todak Fest eSports community festival could be a venue to connect talented players with more professional tournaments.

“We know there are eSports enthusiasts in Malaysia but they may be unaware of bigger prizes to gain at international events. Local platforms can help with that,” she said.

Rafidah said this after the prize giving ceremony where local team, Bosskurr Gaming, emerged victorious at the festival.

The team beat 1,599 others in the mobile multiplayer online game Mobile Legends: Bang Bang.

The five man team led by Mohd Faris Zakaria and managed by Nur Eddy Nur Sal took home the Todak trophy and RM50,000 in cash.

Once regarded as just a hobby, eSports will be one of the events at the next SEA Games in the Philippines in November.

Efforts are also being done to make eSports an exhibition event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

According to the Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation, the eSports industry is also estimated to be worth US$180.1bil (RM742bil).

It also estimated that Malaysia has more than two million eSports enthusiasts. This recognition could also shift society’s mind about eSports being a waste of time or a potential addiction, Rafidah said.

“eSports players are like any other sports enthusiasts who pour their energy into their passion.

“eSports players spending more resources on their games and equipment doesn’t make them any less passionate than someone who enjoys physical activity like cycling,” she said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Secretary-General of eSports Malaysia (ESM) Azlan Ismail said gaming addiction is not a big problem yet in Malaysia but needs to be monitored closely.

“Gaming has traps for addiction but if you want to build your career in eSports, it takes a certain level of discipline and focus and there is a healthy way to do that,” he said.

He said ESM has gone around the country giving talks about healthy gaming to help players and their families learn to maintain a healthy balance.

Separately, professional gamers say that discipline is key in making sure the darker side of gaming does not bring more negative effects.

For Bosskurr manager and gamer Nur Eddy, scheduled training sessions is just as important as ensuring his family is well cared for.

“Some of us are newlyweds and some have just started our own families. Our spouses were sceptical at first but when they realised that we could bring in an income and not neglect our responsibilities, they were more supportive,” he said adding that the team spends about three hours a day training.

Meanwhile, 19-year-old gamer Shanice Choo said while she trains hard to keep her gaming skills sharp, it was important to remember to maintain a balanced lifestyle.

Choo, who studies at a private college said she and her teammates take advantage of losing moments to relax and focus on other things.

We take breaks to catch up with each other, she said.

Choo also makes an effort to strike a good balance between playing Counter Strike: Global Offensive, her social life, studies, and personal health.

“I’d like to think I game healthily and not overdo it,” she said.