KBS, MOHE To Discuss Making e-Sports Long-term Tertiary Course - Hannah

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 19 (Bernama) -- The Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) will hold discussions with the Higher Education Ministry (MOHE) to make e-sports a long term course at universities, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said.

Efforts to develop talent in e-sports have already begun through short-term courses by the National Sports Association with the cooperation of the National Youth and Sports Department.

“After Selangor Red Giants (SRG) won and returned with great prize money (in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang competitions), many have begun viewing e-sports as a career.

“… but, our concern as parents are there as gadget addiction is a serious problem in Malaysia and we need to find a balance in this matter,” she said in a reply to an interjection by Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden (PN-Alor Setar) while winding up the debate on the motion on the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) for her ministry at the Dewan Rakyat today.

She said a recent study by a Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) lecturer revealed a psychological gap among youth, especially mental readiness that required serious attention.

The study proved it was vital to ensure youth participation in e-sports would not affect their focus on academics and their social well-being.

Hannah also answered a question about her ministry’s efforts to connect its Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes with industry needs and developments by saying that her ministry was taking steps in that direction but challenges remain, including ensuring teachers had the expertise suited to the respective industries.

“So now we’re starting pioneer projects for our institutions first in the sports field, not only motorsports but aviation sports that are being developed with the use of AI (artificial intelligence),” she added.

-- BERNAMA