XPAX Kejohanan E-Sukan Kampus (KEK) 2019, the first E-Sports campus tournament in Malaysia that gathers the best E-Sports teams from different institutions of higher education around the country competing for the money prize of RM 180, 000 starts its search in its first location, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) representing the North Zone.

Organised by Media Prima Digital through their game portals, MyGameOn and Kitamen, the closing ceremony of XPAX KEK North Zone was honoured by Associate Professor Dr

Nor Hisham Hamid, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Students Affairs & Alumni of UTP, together with Rafiq Razali, Chief Executive Officer of Media Prima Digital.

The event presented by XPAX features three different popular games; Mobile Legends Bang Bang, Pro Evolution Soccer 2019 (PES2019) and DOTA 2.

The three-day tournament gathers 48 of the best teams passing through the qualifying round that was held earlier in February. Below are the top three teams that are fit and qualified to represent the North Zone in the grand finals next April.

To make matters interesting, the institutions with the highest team win will stand a chance to receive scholarships worth RM 50,000, sponsored by XPAX, in their initiative to support and empower E-Sports among youths. Alongside XPAX, several brands such as Acer Predator, TODAK, Boost, Sades, Cadbury 5Star and Mountain Dew have joined the cause in becoming sponsorship partners for XPAX KEK.

Rafiq Razali expressed, "We are extremely happy with the positive response and engagement following our first location of XPAX KEK. The commitment given by our main sponsor, XPAX, as well as Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS are very important in catalysing the E-Sports industry here in Malaysia, hence shaping a healthy ecosystem that can instill the concept of 'Healthy Gaming' among university students across the nation".

On behalf of UTP, Associate Professor Dr Nor Hisham Hamid perceived XPAX KEK as one of many efforts in bringing together local corporate companies closer with universities, establishing a healthy bond that proves beneficial for both sides of the party.

Danny Chew, Chief Consumer and Home Business Officer of Celcom Axiata Berhad, stated, "Celcom, through XPAX, are thrilled to introduce KEK, in parallel with our aspiration to become the network provider of choice in fulfilling the digital lifestyle of our customers, especially local fans of E-Sports. It also provides Malaysian youths the platform to empower themselves where they are able to improve their skills and eventually excel in the gaming world."

This time, XPAX KEK features the local 'duo combo' E-Sports commentators, Radzi "Ikuto" Rahman and Adam "SparTanker" Faiz in commentating for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. Visitors are welcome to try various games here at XPAX KEK including Beat Saber and F1 Racing Simulator.

Other than that, visitors were also entertained with performances by famous local artists such as Nabila Razali and Naim Daniel.

This E-Sports tournament applies learning elements for visitors through learning booths and talk forums or sharing sessions with players from the gaming industry.

Lifestyle elements are also applied such as food trucks, dance fitness and lucky draws exclusively for new and old XPAX members to win amazing prizes.

The Perak Exco for Youth, Sports and Human Capital Development, YB Howard Lee, also attended as to support the tournament event.

Another intriguing element of KEK is the XPAX Hackathon E-Sukan challenge where the students are given a chance to share and present their fresh ideas to propose on cultivating the local E-Sports industry. In succeeding, special prizes from XPAX and Huawei awaits the winner.

Students interested in participating the Hackathon E-Sukan can still register and get the latest update on XPAX KEK by heading over to www.mygameon.my/xpax-kek and also the official Facebook page, MyGameOn. XPAX KEK will see you there in UiTM Cawangan Melaka, Kampung Alor Gajah starting this Friday, 15 March 2019, until Sunday, 17 March 2019 for the South Zone.