Sabah’s Mobile Legends team eyeing Sukma gold

KOTA KINABALU (July 27): Sabah’s Mobile Legends Bang Bang team is aiming for a gold medal at the 21st Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Sarawak, scheduled from Aug 17 to 24.

Mohammad Irwandy Lim, 20, who previously won a silver medal at the 2023 SEA Games while representing the country, said his team would deliver their best performance, as other teams also consist of experienced players with their own strengths.

Known as ‘Izanami’ in the e-sports community, he said that Sabah’s lineup included another experienced player, Ealtond Rayner, or ‘Lolealz,’ who has played in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Mid Season Cup (MSC) and was previously his teammate in RSG Malaysia.

“We from Sabah will never underestimate other teams in the tournament and are focused on achieving our target of a gold medal for Sabah in e-sports at Sukma. For me, there is no pressure being the gold medal favourites as we have played in bigger tournaments before.

“We are currently preparing to further strengthen our team before heading to Sukma,” he told reporters after the launch and introduction of the Sabah e-sports team for the 21st Sukma here on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Zulfiqri Amarullah, 18, a key young player in Sabah’s e-sports team for Tekken 8, said he would do his best to ensure the team meets the target of at least bringing home a silver medal.

“I am currently in the best condition to face Sukma, and I hope to achieve the medal target. However, I will intensify my training to exceed the set target,” said Zulfiqri, who won silver in Tekken 7 at the 10th edition of the Sabah Games (SAGA).

Meanwhile, Sukma Sabah e-sports team manager Mohd Sofihizar Usrah expressed confidence that the team could achieve their target of one gold, two silver, and two bronze medals based on the athletes’ performances.

“We will double our training efforts and organise several series of matches with experienced players in Sabah, with the hope these sessions would further enhance the participants’ performance,” he said.

A total of 12 participants will represent Sabah in the e-sports events, including six for Mobile Legends Bang Bang, two for eRacing, two for eFootball, and two for Tekken 8.

There are seven categories offering a total of 21 medals in e-sports at this year’s Sukma.-Bernama