KUALA LUMPUR: The RM20 million allocated to boost the growth of electronic sports or e-sports at a time the nation is heading towards the COVID-19 endemic phase is proof that the government is sensitive towards efforts to empower the sport.

Kuala Lumpur Electronic Sports Association (ESKL) president Hisham Darus said the allocation would benefit efforts to develop e-sports, which is gaining the attention of Malaysians, especially youths.

"With the RM20 million allocation, it shows that the government cares (about the fate of e-sports) and it is clear that this is what is needed, especially by the youths and e-sports enthusiasts in Malaysia.

"I hope this is a continuous effort so as to ensure e-sports enthusiasts can continue to work on improving their standard," he told Bernama today.

Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, when tabling Budget 2022 at the Dewan Rakyat today, announced that RM20 million would be provided for the development of national e-sports, including RM5 million for the setting up of the Drone Sports Excellence Centre.

This is the fourth straight year that attention is given to the development of e-sports in the tabling of the budget, with RM15 million allocated under Budget 2021, RM20 million (Budget 2020) and RM10 million (Budget 2019).

Apart from the RM20 million allocation, Tengku Zafrul also announced that the government planned to provide income tax exemption on cash prizes won at e-sports tournaments.

-- BERNAMA