Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
THE national esports team are targeting at least a top-six finish in PUBG Mobile at the upcoming 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia next month.
This is Brunei's second appearance in the sport having made their debut in Vietnam in the last edition last year.
Team manager Hawaii Yee felt that acquiring the services of a professional coach has helped with their development.
"This year the association (ESB) managed to hire the services of Coach Chillrex ,who is a coach for CRIT Esports Malaysia," said Yee in a recent interview with BruSports News.
"Having him on board with us is a big boost as he can instill a proper system within the team to help us play in an organised manner.
"So far the training has been going well and the athletes are able to learn as much as they can," continued Yee.
Brunei had sent two teams of 10 players last time out but a different roster of five will represent the Sultanate this time around.
The team is made up of Md Safwan Hakimi Abdullah Husaini, brothers Md Danial Hadhrami Safiuddin and Md Danish Haqeeme Hizami Muhaimin, Md Hadif Fadhli Haji Sufari and Ak Muhd Haziq Pg Hj Redzuan.
They have had success recently having bagged the runner-up spot at the IESF 14th World Esports Championship 2022 in Bali, Indonesia in December.
They followed that up by winning two gold medals at the MyBorneo E-Force Invitational and Sarawak Esports Championship 2023 in Kuching last month.
"We are looking to keep the same mentality and consistency just like in Bali and Kuching by reminding the athletes on how good they really are," said Yee.
"Also never to doubt themselves and always be confident. The mind plays an important role and if they believe in themselves, this is the huge factor for an extra boost for them to perform well in the competition," he added.
"Majority of the teams at the SEA Games are professional athletes and our athletes do look up to them but now they have an opportunity to compete and beat them in an actual competition.
"So we are all excited and hopefully we can have a good showing at this year's SEA Games," continued Yee.
The team manager concluded by thanking YOU.C1000 for their support and help with the development of the esports team.
He also expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sports and Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council (BDNOC) for giving esports another chance to participate at the Games.
