HPPNK 2025 eSports Competition At SICC Receives Extraordinary Response

KOTA KINABALU, Aug 1 (Bernama) -- The eSports competition held in conjunction with the 2025 National Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen’s Day (HPPNK) at the Sabah International Convention Centre here received an extraordinary response, particularly among the younger generation.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said 43 teams, involving 258 young participants statewide, are taking part in the three-day eSports competition, which began today.

"This is the second series of the HPPNK eSports competition after the first one in Ipoh, Perak, during the 2023 edition of the HPPNK.

"Our main objective in organising the competition is to gather the young people, attracting them to come to the HPPNK.

"Although this is a side event, it still managed to attract youngsters from the outside to join us at the HPPNK,” he told reporters after officiating the launch of the eSports 2.0 NAFAS-NEKMAT here today.

Also present were Farmers' Organisation Authority (LPP) chairman Datuk Mahfuz Omar; National Farmers’ Organisation (NAFAS) chief administrator Mohd Faizal Jakir; NAFAS general manager Muhammad Faris Arriffin; and National Fishermen’s Association (NEKMAT) general manager Azrin Shah Ismail.

Arthur said eSports is one of the events under the Agro Millenia Segment in conjunction with the HPPNK, adding that the participants could enjoy various facilities at the HPPNK, which is filled with attractive exhibitions and sales offers.

"In the Agro Millenia Segment, in addition to the eSports competition, there are many exhibitions, technologies, information and so on where we showcase the latest technologies and information to attract the participation of more youngsters.

"We want to see more young people involved in our comprehensive efforts to develop the country's agriculture and agri-food sectors here,” he said.

According to Arthur, the eSports competition offered a total prize money of RM10,000, with the winners taking home cash, participation certificates and special eSports t-shirts.

In addition to the eSports Mobile Legends competition, the eSports stage at Level 2 of the Kinabatangan Hall at SICC also provides an interactive space for games like PlayStation 5 (PS5), Virtual Reality and Arcade.

-- BERNAMA