2019 Esports Presidential Cup: Biggest Online Game Competition in Indonesia

Chief of Presidential Staff Moeldoko, accompanied by Communication and Informatics Minister, Youth and Sports Minister and Head of Creative Economy Agency, attends the launching of E-sport Presidential Cup in Jakarta, Monday (28/1). (Photo: Agung/PR)

The Indonesian Government organized Esports Presidential Cup, the biggest competition for online gamers to be held from January to March.

“The 2019 Esports Presidential Cup is in line with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s mandate in which to develop sportsmanship values, national values, as well as economic and talent,” Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko said at a press conference in Jakarta, Monday (28/1).

According to him, President Jokowi acknowledged that many Indonesians have big interests and talents in esports and the Government embraced it by providing human development, economic, and infrastructure assistances.
“The good values brought by esports have taught the young generations to be discipline, respect, cooperate, and collaborate with each other,” Moeldoko said.

Moeldoko went on saying that President Jokowi wished the esports industry can be better developed and in the future it will contribute greater to the national economy. “This is also to realize the country’s goal as the largest digital economy country in Southeast Asia in 2020,” he added.

The 2019 Esports Presidential Cup is using Mobile Legends, today’s most popular games, to compete. Regional tournaments will be held in eight regions, namely at Palembang Sport Convention Center and Bali Galeria Shopping Center on 9-10 February 2019, Surabaya Town Square and Trans Studio Mall Makassar on 16-17 February 2019, Park Mall Solo and Manado Town Square on 23-24 February 2019, Aston Pontianak and Summarecon Mall Bekasi on 2-3 March 2019.

The qualifying round is followed by 512 players from each region. Then the best teams from those eight regions will follow the bootcamp coached by IESPL coaches and expert managers. Afterwards, those who qualify will compete in the 2019 Presidential Cup Grand Final at Istora Senayan, Jakarta, at the end of March 2019 and the event will be attended by President Jokowi.

President of IESPL Giring Ganesha explained that President Jokowi himself directly proposed this competition and wanted the development of the Esports ecosystem.

“The President stressed that Indonesian youth could use Esports to give contribution,” Giring said, adding that currently there are roughly 50 million online game players throughout Indonesia.

“This rapid development, the stability of internet connection, and the growing number of online transactions marked the growth of our digital economy,” he concluded. (Public Relations of Presidential Special Staff / AGG / ES).

Translated by: Estu Widyamurti
Edited by: Yuyu Mulyani