By Faizal Salim
KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Adam Adli Abd Halim has called on all parties in Malaysia's esports ecosystem to set aside their differences and prioritise the welfare of athletes and fans.
The call comes as the Malaysian Esports Federation (MESF) and the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) remain at loggerheads over who should govern eFootball.
FAM maintains that all FIFA-sanctioned competitions fall under its jurisdiction as the world governing body's recognised affiliate, while MESF insists it should oversee eFootball as the country's national esports authority.
The dispute escalated after MESF declared a selection tournament organised by FAM as unsanctioned and warned that players who took part would be regarded as professionals, making them ineligible for MESF-sanctioned events.
The standoff has prompted senior eFootball player Norhaikal Noh, better known as Haikal, to urge both MESF and FAM to "put egos aside" for the good of the community.
Adam stressed that the priority must be to ensure national players are not denied the chance to compete at the highest level because of administrative wrangling.
"In any situation, the welfare of athletes and their opportunities to perform on the world stage must come first," he said in a statement today.
"I want to remind everyone that unwavering support from fans is the lifeblood of this industry. Therefore, all parties must uphold the spirit of sportsmanship, seek the best solutions, and continue nurturing young talent to raise Malaysia's standing on the global stage."
Adam revealed that he held a brief meeting with stakeholders shortly after Malaysia's friendly match against Palestine on Monday to better understand the situation.
The statement comes amid concerns that Malaysia's preparations for the FIFAe World Cup 2025 in Riyadh could be disrupted, with players fearing the dispute will jeopardise their participation.
Adam's intervention is seen as an attempt by the government to mediate and prevent athletes from becoming collateral damage in the conflict.
"Everyone has a responsibility to protect the interests of players and fans. That should always be the priority," he said.
Last year, Ahmad Muhaimin Razak, better known as Minbappe, made the country proud after he won the inaugural Fifae World Cup mobile event and pocketed US$20,000 (RM84,400).