Malaysia's Esports Federation Announces National Training Program for 2025

The Esports Federation of Malaysia (ESM) has officially announced the launch of a national esports training program set to begin in early 2025. Backed by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the initiative will establish dedicated training facilities in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor Bahru, with plans to identify and develop talent across multiple competitive titles including Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Valorant, and Dota 2.

The program represents the Malaysian government's most significant investment in competitive gaming to date. Funding of approximately RM 15 million has been allocated for the first two years, covering coaching staff salaries, facility costs, sports science support, and international tournament travel budgets. ESM president Dato' Latt Shariman Abdullah emphasized that the program aims to treat esports athletes with the same professionalism afforded to traditional sports competitors, including access to nutritionists, mental health professionals, and physical fitness trainers.

Talent identification will begin through a series of regional qualifiers held across all 13 states, with scouting focused on players aged 16 to 25. Selected participants will enter a structured development pathway that includes regular scrimmages against international teams, bootcamp sessions with established professionals, and academic support for younger athletes still completing their studies. The federation has also signed memorandums of understanding with esports organizations in South Korea and Japan to facilitate coaching exchanges and joint training camps.

The announcement has been well received by Malaysia's gaming community, which has long called for greater institutional support. While Malaysian teams have shown flashes of potential on the international stage, particularly in MLBB and Dota 2, critics have pointed to a lack of structured development as the primary reason the country has not consistently competed at the highest level. This program aims to change that narrative.