Exciting days for eSports duo

Muhammad Khairul Abdul Aziz and Mohamad Nor Haikal Mohamad Noh a nine-to-five job was never an option growing up. Deep down in their hearts is the calling of eSports.

Although their choice was not well received by their parents at first, it has led to both Khairul and Haikal creating history by being the first Malaysians to compete in eSports at the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia. Khairul and Haikal finished in the top-four of Pro Evolution Soccer (PES).

“In the beginning my mum (Azizah Ibarahim), really didn’t agree with this because to her it’s a complete waste of time but when I started winning and bringing home money, she thought okay maybe it’s not a complete waste of time,” said Khairul.

Their successes eventually led them to where they are today — as fulltime players for Thailand’s MSC, playing under their football club, Port FC under EA’s title PES 2018.

Haikal, 20, believes this is just the beginning for them and for the sport following the RM10 million allocated for eSports by the government under budget 2019.

“eSports should be given the recognition it deserves because it’s got a huge potential among the youngsters.

“Look at us, we qualified for the Asian Games. The budget should be well utilised to ensure the eSports community keeps growing.”

Khairul said: “Malaysia needs to expand the talent pool not only in terms of athletes but also the development of video games for foreign market. This is the best step in ensuring Malaysia becomes an eSports hub in Asean.”

Considering themselves as Malaysia’s eSports success stories, Khairul and Haikal have urged the community to shed the negative perception about video games and not consider it “a waste of time” but rather an untapped potential that could produce fruitful results.

“The support I gained from my mum, peers and my relatives to continue in this field has ensured I made a career out of it and now I can gladly called myself an eSports professional athlete.

“We are not playing for fun but have turned it into a career, earning monthly salary from MSC in Thailand.”