BANGI, 8 April–With the growing popularity of eSports among students, the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Esports Arena has rapidly become an integral part of student life, blending leisure, skill development, and social engagement.

Since the start of the new semester, student engagement at the UKM Esports Arena has surged, with regular gaming tournaments and vocational workshops drawing hundreds of participants looking to sharpen their gaming techniques and collaborative skills.

The UKM Esports Arena is equipped with high-performance gaming computers, a dedicated viewing area, and a comfortable lounge. It offers a diverse selection of games, including League of Legends, Dota 2, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), Valorant, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, FIFA, PUBG, and PlayStation 5 (PS5). In addition, recreational activities such as billiards, darts, and golf simulators are also available. The hourly rate is only RM5 for PC games and RM10 for PS5 sessions.

In addition to this, it offers more than just a gaming experience, it is a platform that promotes cognitive development and social skills.

“‘Gaming is an experience where I make a lot of new friends, and it improves my social and cognitive skills,” said Hafiz Aiman Ruzuki, an economics major at UKM and a frequent visitor to the arena.

For many, the Arena is a welcome break from academic pressures.

“After a long day, the UKM Esports Arena is where I unwind and find peace,” Hafiz shared , “Gaming helps me clear my mind and even improves my focus when studying.”

Despite its popularity, students have proposed several improvements.

“I hope the issue of damaged keyboards and the limited selection of games can be addressed,” said He Zhi Ren, a Bachelor of Psychology student.

“There should also be more diverse gaming tournaments, such as CS:GO competitions, to encourage broader participation, added Zhang Jin Yuan, who is also pursuing a degree in psychology.

As UKM Esports Arena continues to grow in popularity, it highlights how gaming is more than entertainment—it is a tool for personal growth, connection, and education.