Selangor Red Giants Esports CEO Simon Lim explains how the football club is bridging the gap between traditional sports and esports

Story Highlights

Simon Lim, the CEO of Selangor Red Giants shared some interesting insights behind his team’s fortunes.
He drew parallels from traditional sports and laid emphasis on structure as the key to become successful in esports.
Despite his team’s recent victories, Simon sees the future of the esports ecosystem in Malaysia as uncertain.

As a passionate follower of esports, I have to say that my encounter with Simon Lim, the visionary CEO of Selangor Red Giants Esports Division, was truly enlightening. His insights into the intersection of traditional sports and esports, as well as his candid views on the Malaysian esports scene, were nothing short of inspiring.

The current phase of the Mobile Legends M6 World Championship has been filled with various happenings and prospects. One such event was the MSummit Kuala Lumpur, where we interacted with numerous professionals in the realm of esports and the individuals instrumental in shaping this novel form of amusement. We had an engaging conversation with Simon Lim, head of Selangor Red Giants Esports Division, who elucidated his views on the parallels existing between a conventional sports club and its esports branch, as well as highlighted how the Malaysian team is revolutionizing the entire mobile MLBB esports sphere.

A key figure instrumental in the escalation of Malaysia’s esports uprising disclosed profound strategies and perspectives regarding their approach to competitive gaming, particularly in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, a game that has garnered significant popularity within the country. Remarkably, this team clinched victory at one of MLBB’s largest events.

Please note that the interview has been edited for clarity.

Lessons learned from traditional sports are the structure of a successful esports team

In our conversation with the Selangor Red Giants, we inquired about the valuable insights they gained from their involvement in conventional sports. Specifically, we were interested in identifying the fundamental concepts or teachings that have been transferred from traditional sports to foster the growth of a thriving esports department within their organization.

Simon Lim stressed that a solid structure is crucial, forming the basis for a successful team in esports. He strongly recommended focusing on establishing this structure. Additionally, he highlighted the significance of effective management in handling players, coaches, and officials.

Inquiring about the definition of success for the organization and how they measure it, since the esports industry is expanding rapidly. The team recently won the MSC 2024, their most significant accomplishment to date, leading us to question what success means from their perspective. Simon provided an answer that varied slightly, suggesting that in the past, they focused on investments in esports and marketing as key indicators of success. However, considering the current state of change, he stated that success is now largely determined by the team’s performance in major events.

Selangor Red Giants Esports CEO Simon Lim explains how the football club is bridging the gap between traditional sports and esports

To delve into the thoughts of Selangor FC, a well-known football team in Malaysia, regarding the connection between electronic sports (esports) and conventional athletics, we sought insights. Given that esports has become a recognized form of entertainment, our curiosity was piqued to understand their views on competitions primarily conducted over the internet.

In traditional sports such as football, athletic prowess is crucial. However, in esports, there’s no need for physical fitness. That’s why they’re handled differently. We offer motivation, and our esports psychologists provide constant guidance and mentorship.

The overall esports ecosystem in Malaysia is still weak and needs big brands to invest

As the sole M6 top 4 team representing Malaysia, we sought Simon’s perspective on the current esports landscape encompassing Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) in Malaysia. He pointed out several weaknesses within the system, stating that it lacks a solid foundation and structure. Moreover, he emphasized that our ecosystem has not been successful in drawing major brands, which are crucial for growth. Without substantial financial support, there’s an element of uncertainty, as expressed by the influential figure behind Selangor.

Apart from discussing his own involvement, he highlighted the impact SRG had on transforming Malaysia’s esports environment. He explained, “While I don’t want to overstate SRG’s power, winning the MSC 2024 sparked a revolution. Now, major brands are aware of us. The youth feel inspired, and their parents see it as a positive shift. This change in the esports ecosystem is significant and far-reaching.

In the expanding world of Malaysian esports, Simon emphasized some groundbreaking strategies they’re considering to elevate esports professionally, not just in Malaysia, but globally. He exuded a strong sense of assurance and optimism. Essentially, he stressed the significance of “applied esports science.” This is crucial as it involves quantitative analysis and practice. By incorporating sports psychologists, nutritionists, physiotherapists, and more, these fields can be effectively applied to esports, a vital step for its continued growth.

Simon additionally shared his expectation that every esports team would treat these matters with importance, moving beyond merely recruiting players and competing. He emphasized the necessity for management to address these related issues to ensure the players remain well-informed and up-to-date.

In 2024, SRG was awarded “The Best Mobile Esports Team of the Year” at the GamingonPhone Awards. We inquired about the reasons they attribute to this success. “Being underdogs and a small team, we grew rapidly, gaining fan support in a short period. I believe it was our fans who shared our links to help us win this award. This is our first international award and it’s all for the fans.

Moving forward as our team expands and takes on larger battles, we’re optimistic that individuals such as Simon will significantly impact the broader mobile esports ecosystem.

2024-12-15 13:11