SHAH ALAM, May 22 — Shah Alam Deputy Mayor Safriah Md Adzhar said e-sports has evolved into a major industry that goes beyond entertainment, after hundreds of participants gathered for the Shah Alam E-sports Championship 2026 at Central i-City on April 25 and 26.
She said the growth of digital technology has transformed competitive gaming into a platform requiring mental agility, strategic thinking and teamwork.
“Today, mental agility, quick reflexes and strategic precision have shifted into the digital arena that we know as e-sports,” she said at the launch of the tournament organised by the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA), The Star reported.
Also present were MBSA deputy secretary (management) Shahrin Ahmad and MBSA Zone 6 councillor Mohd Firdaus Mokhtar.
Safriah added that e-sports should not be viewed as just playing video games, as the field also demands discipline and mental resilience.
She said the championship was organised to provide youth in the Klang Valley with positive and healthy competition, while promoting integrity and sportsmanship.
“The tournament enables youth to compete in a positive environment while encouraging talent development and strengthening community ties through beneficial activities,” she said.
The tournament featured contests in PUBG Mobile, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), and EA Sports FC 26, with a total prize pool of RM10,000.
PUBG Mobile and MLBB each offered RM4,000 in prizes, while FC26 offered RM2,000.
MBSA received 64 entries for PUBG Mobile, 32 entries for MLBB, and 64 entries for FC26.
