Open An Esports Tournament, Menpora Appreciate Enthusiasm And Remind Health Protocols

JAKARTA - The Minister of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Indonesia (Menpora RI) Zainudin Amali officially opened the Youth Esports Tournament to compete for the 2021 Menpora Cup.

This electronic sports competition was followed enthusiastically by 14,098 teams and more than 70 thousand players from Indonesia.

In his remarks, the Menpora Amali appreciated the efforts of the East Java Youth Renewal Indonesian Youth organization (AMPI) to organize this activity.

In addition, he reminded that the competition should still prioritize health protocols.

"First, I appreciate the efforts of the organizers for their initiative to organize an esports tournament activity which is currently being carried out. Moreover, we know that currently in the COVID-19 pandemic situation, health protocols must be the guidelines of the organizers," he said as quoted from a written statement. uploaded on the Kemenpora website, Saturday, April 17.

He said, Esports is a sport that continues to develop among millennials that prioritizes concentration, strategy, mentality, to technology. So that Esports is considered to be one of the right sports choices in the midst of a pandemic.

"The efforts of the organizers have been extraordinary. The committee is very ready and I think the organizers are able to carry out this activity as proven by the team participants who registered. This is not an easy job. This achievement is extraordinary, "said Amali.

Furthermore, Amali hopes that new athletes will emerge who are expected to become the mainstay of the Indonesian National Team in the future to face international championships.

"With this tournament, hopefully there will be athletes who can make the nation proud at the world level. I got a report, the ages who participated in this tournament ranged from students to university students. This means that we are included in the youth category, and Esports is indeed a favorite of our young people, "he said.

A similar sentiment was also conveyed by the Deputy Chairman of PB Esports Indonesia, Komjen Pol Bambang Sunarwibowo. He stated that his party fully supports this tournament and hopes that new athletes will emerge who will make the nation proud.

"We fully support this tournament. Through this tournament, we hope that there will be athletes who excel, one day raise the good name of the nation among international esports. To the team, have a good match and uphold sportsmanship. Let us unite to support Indonesian Esports, ”said Bambang.

Complementing Bambang, Chairman of the East Java AMPI Board of Trustees, Sarmudji also hopes that this tournament can produce national athletes. "Hopefully this tournament can be successful and give birth to national athletes who can become a mainstay for the Red and White team," he said.

Mobile Legend was chosen as an electronic sport to be competed in this Youth Esports Tournament. This tournament has a total prize of IDR 200 million and a Menpora Cup trophy for the winning team.

The qualification stage and the big 8 will take place from April 17 to May 9, 2021. Meanwhile, the semi-finals and grand finals will be held in East Java on May 30, 2021.