THE Penang government has established the Penang E-Sports Academy to lead the development of e-sports in the state.
The academy is the first of its kind in the state and is located on Level 3 in Komtar.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state government has allocated a total of RM200,000 to establish the Penang E-Sports Academy.
“It will be managed by the Penang State Sports Council (MSNPP).
“The academy is equipped with 12 units of high-end gaming PC, two units of PlayStation 5 console, furniture and other facilities.
“This e-sports academy will serve as a special centre to train those who are interested in this field, especially the youth,” Chow said in his speech before launching the e-sports academy today.
Also present were state Youth and Sports Committee chairman Soon Lip Chee, Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng, MSNPP director Harry Chai Heng Hua, Penang Youth Development Corporation (PYDC) general manager Dr Gwee Sai Ling and Penang E-Sports Association president Mohamad Khir Md Noor.
According to Chow, the Penang E-Sports Academy will also provide the youth with relevant training and educational programmes.
“This will be done in collaboration with relevant stakeholders such as Digital Penang, PYDC, Penang E-Sports Association and others to further boost e-sports players’ potential.
“We will also instil good sportsmanship so that the public will not have a negative perception towards e-sports players.
“I hope that through this academy, we will be able to nurture and produce high-quality e-sports players who can represent the state and country and make us proud,” he said.
Chai said the Penang E-Sports Academy would operate every Wednesday to Sunday from 1pm to 9pm.
“It is open to the public and state athletes but they need to make an early booking since the places are limited.
“They can make the early reservation from MSNPP’s official website at https://msnpp.penang.gov.my/index.php/ms/ .
“Apart from that, the academy will also be used as the main training centre for state e-sports athletes who will represent Penang in the KL Sukma (Malaysia Games) from Sept 16 to 24,” he said.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Law Suun Ting
Video by Ahmad Adil Muhamad