The esports veteran is up to the daunting task of managing a team of 24 pro players across six game titles.
Driven by their love for competitive gaming, the esports community has been rallying the world to embrace electronic sport as a βreal sportβ.Β With esports now inducted as a medal sport at the SEA Games,Β itβs safe to say that their efforts have finally paid off. So, itβs unsurprising that Malaysia – a melting pot of video game talents – would be onboard this groundbreaking milestone for the sport. And who better than Firdaus βMasterRamenβ Hashim – founder of the Malaysian esports scene – to manage Malaysiaβs representatives for the Gamesβ esports segment.
βSimply put, my role is to manage the players and coaches,β MasterRamen explained, a job scope likely derived from the title of βteam managerβ. His tasks include ensuring that everyone and everything stays on schedule, and helping the team jump through one too many hoops to ensure everything stays afloat.
βIβm basically like a father to them,β he added with a chuckle, a tongue-in-cheek joke to the affectionate nickname heβs been given by the local community, bapak ah esports (βfather of esportsβ).
But like any other form of parenting, itβs not easy.
Team Malaysia flags off for SEA Games 2019 at Level Up KL Play 2019.
βThe biggest challenge is scheduling the training for all 24 players,β MasterRamen said, as a chunk of players and coaches arenβt full-time professionals and have 9-5 jobs, meaning theyβre only available on weekends and sometimes even have to take leaveΒ for practice. On top of that, training mainly takes place in Kuala Lumpur, proving a stumbling block for those residing in areas as far as Penang and Singapore.
Thereβs also the issue of playersβ comfort during the tournament. The esports veteran expressed concern about the facilities provided by the SEA Games 2019 committee, which βwill be tough on the playersβ mentalityβ and could affect their performance. Fortunately, they will have a test run on-site so that they know what to expect and adapt better, while MasterRamen and his squad will do whatever they can to be ideally prepared, including early lights out.
βYou know how gamers are, they generally prefer staying up late,β the team manager joked.
(left to right) Tai “Shinkie” Tong, Ahmad Syazwan “ADTR” Anuar (Dota 2 coach), MasterRamen, Muhammad Farouq “Flava” Bin Abdul Patah (Head Of Comms, Esports Malaysia), Khoo “Ohaiyo” Chong Xi
βI believe Team Malaysia has a pretty good chance of winning,β he affirmed, recognising the formidable teams of Vietnam, Thailand, and of course, host country Philippines. βWe hope to surprise everyone.β
Itβs a demanding task that MasterRamen has taken up as team manager, confessing that it has been exhaustive for him. But more importantly, he is proud to be a part of this breakthrough. βBefore this, esports players would either play for themselves or the esports organisations they represent. But for the first time ever, with esports at SEA Games, they can now play for the pride of their country.β
The players who will represent Malaysia in esports at SEA Games 2019:
Mobile Legends Bang Bang
- Ahmad Ali “Leixia” Huzaifi Abdullah
- Abdul Wandi “Logan” Abdul Kadir
- Izme Haqeem “Kaizer” Hamsjid
- Muhammad Hazeem “Scott” Onn
- Jamil “Zaraki”Β Nurolla
- Mohd Faris “Soloz” Zakaria
Dota 2
- Khoo “Ohaiyo” Chong Xin
- Denise Danial “Denise” Abdullah
- Bakri “Bakri” Anwar
- Ahmad Rizqan Muzakkir “Danny” Ahmad Nizam
- Mohd Helmy “Vexus” Ibrahim
- Muhammad Naufal “Nopal” Osman
Arena of Valor
- Cham “ZeR0”Β Hong Xin
- Poh “Luna”Β Jing Sheng
- Kok “Raizel”Β Kar Seng
- Loo “LYL”Β Yong Leong
- Tai “Shinkie”Β Tong
- Chan “Ryo”Β Choung Guan
Hearthstone
- Hee “Lalasong”Β Zi Song
- Yew “Wkyew”Β Weng Kean
Tekken 7
- Muhammad Zarif “Zaba”Β Aiman
- Abdul Rahim “Fate”Β Abdul Shukor
Starcraft II
- Yap “Ranger”Β Kien Khun
- Jonathan Wong “Nefarious”Β Choon Hoong
Related:
A western perspective on esports at the 2019 SEA Games.
Why does esports deserve to be a medal sport at SEA Games, along with other major sporting events.
Introducing the Philippines’ esports team, Sibol.
FollowΒ eGG NetworkΒ for extensive coverage on esports at the 2019 SEA Games, happening from 5 – 10 Dec, at the Filoil Flying V Centre, Manila, Philippines.
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