2025 SEA GAMES: MESF SET TWO-GOLD TARGET IN THAILAND

KUALA LUMPUR, March 22 (Bernama) – The Malaysian Electronic Sports Federation (MESF) has set a target of bringing home two gold medals at the Thailand 2025 SEA Games scheduled to take place from Dec 9 to 20, according to its president Muhammad Naim Al-Amin.

He said the target was based on the Arena of Valor (AoV) and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) categories based on the excellent performance of the national players in local and international tournaments.

"We know the Thai AoV team is very strong, but we also have players of calibre. For the MLBB, even if other teams are great, that doesn't mean we're weak.

"On the other hand, the fighting spirit of our athletes is a determining factor for success, which is why we do not only focus on technicalities but on spirituality and the spirit of carrying the name of Malaysia," he told reporters after the launch of the Malaysia Esports Cup 2025 which takes place today until tomorrow at the Pavilion Exhibition Centre, Bukit Jalil. 

Muhammad Naim stressed that his team is committed to protecting the welfare of athletes when it has collaborated with Esport MedicA as a proactive measure to ensure that the mental aspects and well-being of players are always maintained, especially in the face of high pressure during tournaments. 

In this biennial edition, Malaysia will participate in all six esports events that will be contested, namely eFootball, MLBB in the men's and women's categories, AoV, Free Fire and FIFA Online 4. 

On team selection, he explained that the selection was made based on performance in the professional league run by the game's publisher. "For example, the selection of the men's MLBB team will be made based on performance in the MLBB.

Meanwhile, for the women's category, we will evaluate players through their own leagues. The same method is also used for other games such as eFootball and other games," he said.

In addition, MESF intends to send a full team rather than mixing players in other teams to ensure compatibility and a solid strategy can be displayed throughout the tournament.

Malaysia has previously won the esports gold medal through the game Hearthstone which was won by Dr. Yew Weng Kean at the 2019 SEA Games in the Philippines.

— BERNAMA