“Esports faces no barriers to growth and achievement, so I both commend and challenge our esports athletes to raise the Red and White flag and make the national anthem echo on the international stage,” Irfan Bachtiar, deputy IV for sports science and technology at KONI, said at a press conference on the 2025 National Esports League in Jakarta on Wednesday.
He noted that esports have continued to develop since they were first introduced as a new sports discipline through an exhibition event at the 2020 Papua National Sports Week (PON).
At the time, esports drew widespread attention and generated much enthusiasm for Indonesia’s largest multi-sport event, he said.
According to Bachtiar, the scope for international success in esports is the same as that for other sports, with no significant obstacles to the growth and achievements of the sports discipline.
He urged the Indonesian Esports executive board (PB ESI) to keep inspiring athletes to pursue excellence and make Indonesia proud on the world stage.
KONI also expressed its appreciation and support for PB ESI in organizing the 2025 National Esports League, describing it as a crucial platform for nurturing talent and identifying future national team members.
He also emphasized the importance of continuous training and skill development for Indonesia’s esports athletes to produce world-class talent capable of competing at the highest level.
The 2025 National Esports League will take place from July 23 to November 29, 2025. This year’s league will be held in an inclusive format. Unlike previous editions, there will be no qualification round and all registered teams will be given an equal opportunity to compete.
The tournament will feature only one game, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), which has been chosen for its popularity and widespread appeal in Indonesia.
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Translator: Aloysius, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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