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Esports Integrated (ESI), an initiative to catalyse a vibrant, sustainable and inclusive ecosystem by the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) today announced the start of Malaysia Esports League 2022 (MEL22). As part of KBS’s Strategic Development Plan for Esports Development, the second edition of Malaysia Esports League will be held from 12 September until 3 December 2022.

Offering a prize pool of RM299,500, MEL22 will be expanded to include 2 new game titles and expanded categories from 4 to 7, with the inclusion of a special people with disabilities (PWD) league. Following up from the success of Malaysia Esports League 2021 (MEL21), MEL22 aims to provide a more comprehensive and inclusive platform for Malaysian esports talents to compete and showcase their talents.

MEL22 will be divided into 3 series, namely MEL22 Regular Series which consists of MEL22 State Leagues and MEL22 Nationals featuring 3 game titles – Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), PlayerUnknown’s Battleground Mobile (PUBGM) and Garena Free Fire (FF); MEL22 Open Series featuring 3 game titles – Dota 2, FIFA23 and Valorant; and Para MEL22 (game title to be announced soon via ESI’s social media accounts).

For the MEL22 Regular Series, the aim is to provide a true platform for grassroots esports enthusiasts to compete at the state level (MEL22 State Leagues) and later to represent their states in the national playoffs (MEL22 Nationals). In partnership with Moonton, Tencent and Garena, the respective publishers for MLBB, PUBGM and FF, winners from the national playoffs will progress into ESI’s professional level tournament, Malaysia Esports Championship 2022/2023 (MEC 2022/2023) and later progresses into the publishers’ own professional circuit such as MLBB Pro League Malaysia (MPL), PUBGM National Championship (PMNC) and FF Malaysia/Cambodia/Philippines Majors (FF MCPS). MEL22 State Leagues will start from 12 – 29 September 2022 and will be conducted virtually, and MEL22 Nationals will start from 1 October – 2 November 2022, held physically at ESI Hub, Spacerubix Puchong.

For the MEL22 Open Series, it will be an open tournament for all players from various levels (amateur, semi professional and professional), whilst Para MEL22 is the continuation of ESI’s OKU-only tournament, giving opportunity for OKU esports enthusiasts. Both series will be held physically at ESI Hub as well.

“KBS would like to invite esports enthusiasts of various levels to participate in MEL22. Continuing the success of MEL21 last year where 50,000 individuals registered to participate, and close to 1.2 million viewerships, MEL22 is expected to draw large number of registrations and views; so register now before the slots are full.” said YB Dato’ Sri Ahmad Faizal bin Dato’ Azumu, Ministry of Youth and Sports.

“We are delighted to announce the expansion of Malaysia’s biggest grassroots esports tournament, MEL for this year. This allows for more enthusiasts, especially youths, to compete and venture into the local esports competitive circuits. With a clear progression from MEL to MEC and publishers’ own professional tournaments, we would like to ensure a clear path for any esports enthusiasts to compete and progress; from amateur state level, one is able to compete up to international level.” said Fadzli Rahim, the Vice President of Operations and Growth, ESI.

MEL22 is organised by ESI in collaboration with 16 state esports associations and registrations are currently open via www.esukan.gg. Matches will be live streamed via ESI and KBS’s Facebook pages.

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