National E-sports arena all set to sizzle again with start of MEL22 in Sept

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8 (Bernama) -- Having received an encouraging response last year, the Malaysia Esports League (MEL) 2022 is expected to be the focus of virtual sports fans when it is held again from Sept 12-Dec 3.

Esports Integrated (ESI) said in a statement that this year’s edition, to be known as MEL22, would offer prices totalling RM299,500 and provide a more comprehensive and inclusive platform for Malaysian electronic sports talents to compete and showcase their capabilities.

"MEL22 will be divided into three series, namely the MEL22 Regular Series comprising the MEL22 State League and MEL22 National League that will feature three games - Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), PlayerUnknown’s Battleground Mobile (PUBGM) and Garena Free Fire (FF).

"Then, there is the MEL22 Open Series featuring three games - Dota 2, FIFA23 and Valorant; followed by MEL22 Para, with the games to be announced soon through the ESI social media accounts,” according to the statement.

For the MEL22 Regular Series, its objective is to provide an actual platform for e-sports fans at the grassroots level to compete at the state level (MEL22 State League) and then represent their states in the national playoff.

The MEL22 Open Series, meanwhile, will be an open championship for all players from various levels, like amateurs, semi-professionals and professionals, while MEL22 Para is a continuation of the ESI meet for persons with disabilities (PwDs) that will give an opportunity to PwD electronic sports fans.

Meanwhile, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu said in the same statement that he hoped the MEL22 would be able to sustain the success of last year's edition, which attracted the participation of 50,000 individuals, in addition to raking almost 1.2 million viewers on social media.

-- BERNAMA