KUALA LUMPUR – The rapid development of the esports industry in Malaysia is seen to be able to generate substantial income for anyone interested in making it a full-time career.
Former coach of the Mobile Legends Bang-Bang (MLBB) Malaysia team, Mohd Amirul Aiman Mohamad Kamal said that the esports industry in the country is currently not limited to a specific group, unlike in the past.
He stated that with the initiatives and support provided by the government, it indirectly opens up more opportunities for anyone to enter the field easily.
“I can say yes, esports can indeed make money. If we compare to the past, players didn’t have many opportunities. If it didn’t work out once, it wouldn’t happen again.
“But now, if they fail, there are many more platforms they can restart because the government’s support for this sport is good, and there are also many industry players focusing on raising the sport among the grassroots,” he told Bernama.
For anyone interested in entering esports, he said it is not limited to just being a player but also an opportunity to become a commentator, coach, or streamer – depending on individual interests.
“In the esports industry, you can choose to be a player, caster (commentator), even a coach. But they need to seize the opportunity. For example, if a player, need to participate in many small tournaments and build a reputation among the community.
“That’s when people will recognise us, and the same goes for becoming a coach and caster,” he said.
In addition to helping provide substantial income to industry players, Mohd Amirul Aiman, affectionately known as Laphel, who is now pursuing a career as a commentator, believes that the esports industry is also capable of contributing to the country’s economic development.
He said that through various international tournaments held in Malaysia, it is expected to attract the interest of outsiders to get to know Malaysia and potentially become investors in the country.
“For example, this year, we are organizing the Mobile Legend Championship M6, and it will certainly be an introduction for investors to get to know Malaysia, our culture, and how we run the business,” he said. – February 5, 2024