Perak, Malaysia – In a groundbreaking event, the inaugural e-sports tournament of the National Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen’s Day (HPPNK) 2023 has successfully drawn 150 participants, forming 30 teams from various regions of the country. The tournament, which started today, is a three-day competitive event featuring the widely popular e-sports game Mobile Legends, with a total prize money of RM10,000.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the prize pool was a significant factor in attracting teams not only from Perak but also from other states. Some teams have previously participated in state and national-level competitions. Arriffin, who spoke at the Agro Milinea booth at the Sultan Azlan Shah Roundabout, emphasized that the tournament also aims to engage youth in learning about agriculture and encourage them to join organizations like NAFAS and the National Fishermen’s Association (NEKMAT).

Participant Mohd Shahreezza Zainudin, 30, from Lawin, Gerik, travelled about 130 kilometers to compete. His team, ‘The Last Minute’, learned about the tournament through Facebook. Shahreezza, who has been active in e-sports since 2019, expressed surprise at the event’s alignment with HPPNK 2023, noting its effectiveness in attracting young people.

Another participant, S. Shawn Jeremiah, 18, from Tanjung Rambutan, shared his aspirations to become a professional e-sports player. Having been involved in electronic sports since the age of 11, Jeremiah sees the potential of e-sports as a career path.

The tournament’s opening was marked by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Chan Foong Hin, who was presented with an e-sports jacket in a symbolic gesture. The tournament is structured into three sessions, each lasting between 15 to 20 minutes.