IPOH: Parents and society should view electronic games positively, as they can enhance critical and strategic thinking, Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah said.
Sultan Nazrin said parents and educators should play a facilitating and balancing role, guiding young people to master e-sports skills without neglecting their responsibilities to education, health care, as well as fulfilling religious obligations.
"E-Sports is a current trend. Adolescents and the younger generation are increasingly drawn to electronic games.
"It is highly appropriate that the suggestions voiced by the youth representatives receive due attention, and the mosque takes proactive measures to organise competitions or training sessions.
"This prevents young individuals from wandering aimlessly in the realm of e-Sports without limits or guidance," he said.
Sultan Nazrin said this in his speech before presenting appointment letters to members of the Perak Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIPk) for the 2024-2025 term as well as Syariah Court Judges; and graced the Zakat Distribution Ceremony at Kompleks Islam Darul Ridzuan here, today.
Sultan Nazrin said youth are the primary asset of the world and the energy generated by them is highly dynamic and needs to be channelled productively to become a constructive force for the development of society and the nation.
"It would be a significant loss to the country if this dynamic energy is not harnessed productively to generate a more constructive and dynamic force.
"Starting from the tenure of MAIPk members from 2021-2023, we have approved the appointment of two youth members and also endorsed the appointment of youth representatives in the State and District Baitul Mal Committees.
"Praise be to Allah, the entrusted youth representatives have demonstrated dynamic participation by voicing fresh ideas beyond the conventional norm," he said.
Sultan Nazrin said the mosques are now enriched with recreational activities, sports, and martial arts, as well as educational and economic programmes.
"It is essential to enhance mosques with activities that can captivate the interest of the youth.
"During the proceedings of the Perak State Mosque Consultative Council on Nov 25, 2023, the youth representatives suggested that mosques organise e-sports competitions or electronic sports among the youth in their respective congregations.
"E-sports, or electronic sports, involve virtual sports competitions through video games and are now recognised as part of international sporting events," he said.
Sultan Nazrin said at the SEA Games in Manila 2019, a 29-year-old Malaysian athlete, Dr Yew Weng Kean, who holds a PhD in electronic engineering and serves as an assistant professor at Heriot-Watt University, won Malaysia's first gold medal in the 'hearthstone' game.
"In the women's 'mobile legends' event at the SEA Games in Phnom Penh 2023, Sharifah Alia Husna Syed Fakrurrozi, a hafizah who memorised the Quran's 30 parts (juzuk) at the age of 14, and a Business Studies Diploma student at Mara Professional College Beranang, with a perfect CGPA for five consecutive semesters, clinched the bronze medal," he said.
Sultan Nazrin said the appointment of the State Youth and Sports director together with the State Youth Council president as members of the council will bring forth various innovative initiatives.
"These initiatives aim to captivate the interest and increase the participation of more youth in religious programmes, as well as attract a larger number of young individuals to contribute to mosque activities.
"Creative programmes designed to engage youth, particularly those in rural areas and those within Felda and Felcra regions will play a preventive role, safeguarding them from getting involved in unhealthy activities," he said.