Ministry turns to e-Sports to urge Malaysians to stay home during MCO

CORONAVIRUS | E-Sports Malaysia, in collaboration with the Youth and Sports Ministry, is organising an electronic sports (e-Sports) tournaments to encourage Malaysians to stay home during the movement control order (MCO).

"These tournaments ensure e-Sports fans, particularly the youth, stay home throughout the MCO period, on top of filling their leisure time with e-sports and promoting healthy gaming," the Youth and Sports Ministry said in a statement.

The latest round is being organised after receiving a positive reception from the first tournament earlier this month.

The tournaments will take place from tomorrow until April 28.

They will feature games such as Mobile Legends, PUBG, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Dota 2.

It said among the conditions to qualify for the tournament is to stay home.

The ministry added that participation details can be found on its social media accounts.

Likewise, the Penang government has also organised an e-Sports tournament during the MCO featuring the game Call of Duty Mobile.

 "In the Penang government's effort to combat Covid-19, it does not neglect the wellbeing of the youth.

"Therefore, the Penang government, through the youth exco meeting, has agreed to organise an online e-sports tournament to allow youngsters to fill their leisure time during the MCO," said Penang exco in charge of youth and sports Soon Lip Chee in a statement.

This tournament started on April 18 and ends on April 28.

Malaysia has been under a partial lockdown since March 18.

Under the MCO, non-essential businesses and services were ordered closed and people cannot leave their homes except for approved reasons, such as buying groceries within a 10km radius.

The move, aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19, has brought a large part of the country's economy to a standstill.

As of noon yesterday, Malaysia recorded 5,389 Covid-19 cases with 89 deaths.

Of those infected, 3,197 have recovered while another 2,103 are in treatment.

The MCO is scheduled to end on April 28 if it is not extended for the third time. - Mkini