Esports Integrated (ESI) Launches the Inaugural Malaysia Esports League 2021 (MEL21)

PUTRAJAYA, JULY 3, 2021 – The Minister of Youth and Sports (KBS), YB Dato’ Sri Reezal Merican Naina Merican today announced the launch of Malaysia Esports League 2021 (MEL21). As part of KBS’s National Esports Blueprint and through Esports Integrated (ESI), the inaugural state and national level esports league will be held from 10 July till 10 September 2021 featuring a prize pool of RM200,000. MEL21 aims to provide a sustainable platform for grassroot players of all levels (amateurs, semi-professional and professional) to compete and showcase their talents via a national esports league. The leagues will be conducted fully online, in accordance with the SOP set under the National Recovery Plan – Phase 1.

MEL21 is organised by ESI, an initiative under the purview of KBS, in collaboration with 16 state esports associations. MEL21 will be held in two stages: State Leagues and Nationals, and will feature four very popular game titles amongst local esports enthusiasts: PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds Mobile (PUBGM), Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), EA Sports FIFA21 and Dota 2.

“The organisation and execution of MEL21 under the ESI initiative is part of KBS’s main strategic focus under the National Esports Blueprint and allocated under 2021’s budget. This is to develop an exciting, sustainable and inclusive ecosystem for all esports enthusiasts.” said YB Dato’ Sri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, the Minister of Youth and Sports.

“Many tournaments held in Malaysia are catered towards professional players, whilst amateur and semi-professional players are only able to compete in smaller tournaments – which is the gap that MEL21 aims to fill in. By organising the first national level esports league, the development of players can be further expanded and their talents highlighted to the masses.” said CEO of ESI, Ahmed Faris Amir.

“We’re excited to be able to co-organise MEL21 with the support of all 16 state esports associations, a partnership that is aimed to last for many editions to come. The support of game publishers such as Moonton and Tencent Games are also indicative of the industry’s interest towards the development and participation of grassroot level talents.”

MEL21’s first stage, the State Leagues, will be held from 31st May to 30th June 2021 and will be conducted simultaneously across 13 States and 3 Federal Territories. Qualification round will be held in a knockout best of three format before the finalists compete in a round-robin format during the League Proper round. Winners of each category will bag RM2,000 and will represent their state in the second stage, Nationals, happening from 5th July to 30th July 2021. The National League will be using a round-robin format held within three weeks, and teams or players with the highest points will win RM20,000 cash prize and be crowned as the National Champion.

Registrations for MEL21 are currently open. For more information on registration and tournament schedules, visit www.esukan.gg.

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About Impact Integrated
We are the strategic catalyst agency for both youth and sports-centric initiatives under the purview of the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS). The Company Limited By Guarantee (CLBG) consists of five entities, namely: Impact Malaysia, an initiative for youth development and social innovation; Rakita, a multi-channel infotainment media brand tailored for youth; Spacerubix, an inspirational hub inclusive of event spaces and sports complex in Puchong; Picksum, a marketplace platform for local homegrown products; and Esports Integrated, an initiative to catalyse a vibrant, sustainable and inclusive esports ecosystem.

About ESI
Esports Integrated (ESI) is an initiative to catalyse a vibrant, sustainable and inclusive Esports ecosystem powered by Impact Integrated under the purview of the Ministry of Youth and Sports. At ESI, we aim to create structures and programmes to support the establishment of a vibrant, sustainable and inclusive ecosystem which enables growth, ensures protection and expands diversity. As an initiative, ESI cares about nurturing and encouraging the growth and expansion of the Esports ecosystem while at the same time ensuring that the ecosystem’s environment embraces healthy values and is inclusive.

Contact Us
Fadzli Rahim
Vice President, Operations & Growth, Esports Integrated
E-mel: media@esportsintegrated.com / fadzli@esportsintegrated.com
Telefon: +60 17-360 6136