PENANG has become the battleground for Malaysia’s local authority e-sports talents as the Malaysian Association of Local Authorities (MALA) Sports Carnival (Phase 3, 2026) kicked off at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre today, marking the association’s first-ever e-sports championship.
Held from Aug 7 to 9, the three-day carnival brings together teams from local authorities across the country to compete in EAFC26 and TEKKEN 8, reflecting the growing role of digital sports in fostering innovation, teamwork and professional networking within the public sector.
A total of 27 teams are competing in the EAFC26 team event, while 12 teams are vying for honours in TEKKEN 8, with a combined prize pool of RM10,000.
Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said the tournament extends beyond competitive gaming, serving as a platform to strengthen ties among local authorities while positioning Penang as a sports tourism destination in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026.
“MBPP is delighted to be entrusted by MALA to organise the EAFC26 and TEKKEN 8 competitions for Phase 3 of the MALA Sports Carnival.
“This demonstrates that local authorities are always prepared to embrace technological advancements and evolving trends. It is also in line with the nation’s aspiration to strengthen the digital economy while encouraging greater youth participation in positive, competitive and high-impact activities,” he said during the opening ceremony.
Rajendran noted that the carnival is expected to generate positive economic spillover for the state by benefiting the hospitality sector, local food businesses and homegrown products, while showcasing Penang’s rich cultural heritage to participants from across Malaysia.
He added that MBPP previously hosted the MALA Sports Carnival in 2012 for darts and tenpin bowling, and expressed hope that paintball would be introduced as a competitive event in 2027, with MBPP ready to host the competition.
“I believe this sports carnival is not only a platform to discover new talents among local authority personnel, but also an opportunity to strengthen friendships, exchange experiences and build stronger professional networks among local authorities nationwide,” he said.
Rajendran also reminded participants to compete with integrity, discipline and mutual respect.
“Let victory be a proud achievement and defeat a lesson for growth. More importantly, let us continue to uphold the spirit of friendship, unity and true sportsmanship throughout this carnival,” he added.
Meanwhile, state Local Government and Town and Country Planning Committee chairman H’ng Mooi Lye described the introduction of e-sports into the MALA calendar as a timely step towards nurturing digital talent and supporting Penang’s smart city ambitions under the Penang2030 vision.
“Aligned with the Penang2030 vision of building a smart and green state, today’s e-sports carnival has become one of the key drivers in empowering talent, creativity and innovation through technology and a sustainable digital economy,” he said.
According to H’ng, e-sports is now an important component of the digital ecosystem, capable of producing a generation that is technologically literate, strategically minded, creative and equipped with strong communication and teamwork skills.
He stressed that the carnival is more than just a championship to crown winners.
“It is a platform that unites local authority personnel from across Malaysia in an atmosphere of harmony and camaraderie.
“Programmes like this strengthen cooperation among local authorities, encourage the sharing of knowledge and experiences, and expand professional networks, ultimately enhancing service delivery and improving the efficiency of local government administration,” he added.
H’ng also commended MBPP for successfully hosting the inaugural MALA e-sports carnival and praised the council’s continued efforts in advancing community development, digital transformation and citizen engagement through high-impact initiatives.
The e-sports championship forms Phase 3 of the 2026 MALA Sports Carnival.
Earlier phases were held in Raub, featuring darts and golf (Phase 1), followed by tug of war and badminton (Phase 2), while Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) will host the remaining events, namely tenpin bowling and snooker.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix courtesy of The Star