PENANG is aiming to become one of the popular eSports hubs in Southeast Asia in the near future.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow is optimistic of the growth of eSports after witnessing the largest-ever gaming Penang Esports Festival (PEF) 2019 at Setia SPICE Arena today.
He believes the state has the potential to hold such event in the SEA Games or even in international tournaments .
He said it would also create more working opportunities for the youths when more information technology companies set up factories in Bayan Lepas and Batu Kawan.
“We are promoting the eSports within the state as part of the Penang2030 vision.
“The state is creating a healthy platform for the growth of eSports to continue developing the industry.
“It is now one of the most anticipated sporting events in the world,” he said in his speech before launching PEF 2019.
The event, which ends tomorrow, is being organised by SOZO Pte Ltd and presented by state government with the support from the office of Penang Tourism Development, Arts, Culture and Heritage (PETACH) and Penang Global Tourism (PGT).
It is held from 10am to 8pm.
The partners of the festival include gaming stalwarts Eliphant Pte Ltd, Flash Vision Esport, GameStart Asia, KITAMEN, Playstation and Galax.
Chow also spent some time testing out the racing car game despite his hectic schedule.
Earlier, SOZO managing director Shawn Chin said thousands of gaming players are expected to visit the event.
“There are many challenging and exciting games available here for the fans,” he said.
Also present was state Tourism Development, Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin, PGT chief executive officer Ooi Chok Yan and Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Penang chapter chairman Khoo Boo Lim.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis
Video by Chan Kok Kuan