Asia
Esports Integrated (ESI) Launches the Inaugural Malaysia Esports League 2021 (MEL21)
The Minister of Youth and Sports (KBS), YB Dato’ Sri Reezal Merican Naina Merican announced the launch of Malaysia Esports League 2021 (MEL21). As part of KBS’s National Esports Blueprint and through Esports Integrated (ESI), the inaugural state and national level esports league will be held from 10 July till 10 September 2021 featuring a prize pool of RM200,000. MEL21 aims to provide a sustainable platform for grassroot players of all levels (amateurs, semi-professional and professional) to compete and showcase their talents via a national esports league. The leagues will be conducted fully online, in accordance with the SOP set under the National Recovery Plan – Phase 1.
MEL21 is organised by ESI, an initiative under the purview of KBS, in collaboration with 16 state esports associations. MEL21 will be held in two stages: State Leagues and Nationals, and will feature four very popular game titles amongst local esports enthusiasts: PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds Mobile (PUBGM), Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), EA Sports FIFA21 and Dota 2.
“The organisation and execution of MEL21 under the ESI initiative is part of KBS’s main strategic focus under the National Esports Blueprint and allocated under 2021’s budget. This is to develop an exciting, sustainable and inclusive ecosystem for all esports enthusiasts.” said YB Dato’ Sri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, the Minister of Youth and Sports.
“Many tournaments held in Malaysia are catered towards professional players, whilst amateur and semi-professional players are only able to compete in smaller tournaments – which is the gap that MEL21 aims to fill in. By organising the first national level esports league, the development of players can be further expanded and their talents highlighted to the masses.” said CEO of ESI, Ahmed Faris Amir.
“We’re excited to be able to co-organise MEL21 with the support of all 16 state esports associations, a partnership that is aimed to last for many editions to come. The support of game publishers such as Moonton and Tencent Games are also indicative of the industry’s interest towards the development and participation of grassroot level talents.”
MEL21’s first stage, the State Leagues, will be held from 31st May to 30th June 2021 and will be conducted simultaneously across 13 States and 3 Federal Territories. Qualification round will be held in a knockout best of three format before the finalists compete in a round-robin format during the League Proper round. Winners of each category will bag RM2,000 and will represent their state in the second stage, Nationals, happening from 5th July to 30th July 2021. The National League will be using a round-robin format held within three weeks, and teams or players with the highest points will win RM20,000 cash prize and be crowned as the National Champion.
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Asia
Books on Wheels: DigiPlus Foundation Brings Mobile Library to Boost Literacy Among Aurora’s Young Learners
DigiPlus Foundation continues to champion inclusive learning by empowering young learners in Aurora Province through a meaningful partnership with youth-led volunteer group Sikat Aurora.
Following six months of sustained support for Sikat Aurora’s Abot Ko ang Libro storytelling initiative, an activity that brings reading sessions and learning spaces closer to children in local communities, DigiPlus Foundation and GameZone surprised the group with a new mobile library designed to support their mission beyond a single location. The mobile library will allow Sikat Aurora volunteers to roam across Aurora Province, reaching more children with books, learning materials, and storytelling activities.
The donation strengthens Sikat Aurora’s efforts to uplift nonformal education as a vital complement to classroom learning, especially for children with limited access to books and educational resources. By taking learning on the road, the mobile library transforms storytelling sessions into a scalable, sustainable program that can reach far-flung communities across the province.
RJ Belen, Founder of Sikat Aurora, said: “We are truly grateful for the trust and support of DigiPlus Foundation. This mobile library will help us reach more young learners in Aurora and strengthen our mission of nurturing a love for reading. Through nonformal education, we help support what children learn in school and create spaces where learning feels accessible, enjoyable, and empowering.”
“This will allow us to bring learning to children who may not always have access to educational materials, helping them build confidence and curiosity as they grow.”
Neil Orillaneda, Program Manager for Technology Education of DigiPlus Foundation, said: “Our goal is simple: no learner left behind. By supporting initiatives like Sikat Aurora’s mobile library, we help bridge learning gaps and ensure that children, regardless of location or circumstance, have access to educational resources that support their growth.”
The mobile library donation reflects DigiPlus Foundation’s belief that learning happens not only inside classrooms, but also within communities through shared stories, accessible resources, and partnerships that place children at the center of development.
The mobile library donation is part of a Php 1-million contribution from GameZone during the International Series Philippines (ISP), channeled through DigiPlus Foundation to support a range of community initiatives nationwide. Beyond education, the donation also funds livelihood support for local weavers, health program assistance for the LGBTQ+ community, aid for persons with disabilities in Cebu, and flood rescue equipment for Manila, reflecting a holistic approach to community development that addresses education, health, inclusion, and disaster preparedness.
The post Books on Wheels: DigiPlus Foundation Brings Mobile Library to Boost Literacy Among Aurora’s Young Learners appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
The World Esports Summit returns to Busan, South Korea, for its 10th edition, taking place on 10–11 February 2025.
Hosted at the Wyndham Grand Busan, the Summit will bring together 40+ speakers from the international esports ecosystem, including representatives from federations, publishers, global brands, sports organizations, technology companies, and public institutions.
Over the past decade, the World Esports Summit has provided a platform for dialogue and cooperation among stakeholders shaping the world of esports. The 2025 edition will continue this role, offering space for discussion on current developments, industry challenges, and future directions.
The Summit will feature contributions from a wide range of organizations, including Alibaba, FIBA, FIFAe, Tencent, Moonton, NetEase, FIA, Sportradar, EFG, Good Game, Telekom, among others.
Across two days, participants will take part in keynote sessions and panel discussions addressing topics such as esports governance, international collaboration, industry development, integrity, and the continued convergence of esports and traditional sports.
Further information on the program, speakers, and registration is available on the official World Esports Summit website.
The post World Esports Summit Celebrates Its 10th Edition in Busan appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Following the launch of its inaugural women-focused VALORANT tournament La Imperia, the Insurgence Gaming Company has announced its second competitive initiative, MOBA Legends 5v5 Discord Play-Ins, a series of open community tournaments created to make organised competition more accessible to emerging players.
While La Imperia introduced a visibility-led invitational format, the MOBA Legends 5v5 Discord Play-Ins take a different approach. The series is built around open participation and will be hosted entirely online, with all tournament operations managed through Discord. This allows teams from across India to compete in a structured setting without the restrictions often associated with invite-only events.
The Play-Ins are designed as a starting point for players and teams who want to experience organised competition. Matches will be played in a 5v5 MOBA Draft Pick format, with scheduling, match reporting, and communication handled through dedicated Discord channels.
The announcement continues Insurgence Gaming Company’s early focus on grassroots esports. The company was created to address gaps in India’s competitive ecosystem, particularly at the amateur and semi-professional level where consistent tournament opportunities are still limited.
Speaking on the launch, Jasper Shabin, Founder of the Insurgence Gaming Company, said: “With La Imperia, we focused on visibility. With the Discord Play-Ins, the focus shifts to access. Competitive players need regular places to play, improve, and test themselves, not just one-off tournaments. MOBA Legends 5v5 is one of the most accessible competitive titles on mobile, which makes it a strong fit for an open, community-driven format.”
Beyond competition, the Discord Play-Ins are also intended to build a sense of continuity. Players will have access to channels dedicated to match coordination, tournament updates, and post-game discussion, helping teams stay connected beyond a single tournament run.
With the MOBA Legends 5v5 Discord Play-Ins, the Insurgence Gaming Company continues to shape its identity around community-first formats, pairing visibility-led initiatives like La Imperia with open competitive pathways that support long-term grassroots growth in Indian esports.
The post Insurgence Gaming Company Expands Grassroots Vision with MOBA Legends 5v5 Discord Play-Ins appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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