Last Saturday, gaming fans and esports enthusiasts celebrated the Liga Esports Antara Parlimen (LEAP) Season 1 Grand Finals at the ATO Gaming Cafe in TTDI, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Qualified players from team Setiawangsa and team Bangi competed for 4 major game titles – Fifa 23, GigaBash, Street Fighter 6, and Mobile Legends Bang Bang. Furthermore, the event includes a Free-To-Play zone, pop-up booths by The Magic Rain/The Cham Drinkers and Passion Republic, an exhibition match between MP Setiawangsa and MP Bangi, and prize giving for winners.

Among the attendees of the Grand Finals were gaming media publications, supporters from both parliament and gamers with diverse backgrounds. There were notable local and popular streamers supporting LEAP, not to mention MP from Setiawangsa, YB Nik Nazmi, and MP from Bangi, YB Syahredzan Johan officiating the Grand Finals.

LEAP Grand Finals kicks off at 9:30am with Kakuchopurei and appointed on-ground Marshals from The Magic Rain, ready at each station in greeting visitors and players from both constituencies. Our Free-To-Play Zone started at 10am, allowing fans and visitors to play games featured in the Grand Finals and other fighting game titles.

We are able to capture moments where guests play against qualified players and other gamers from various backgrounds bond over a couple of matches and bring the esports scene to life.

The Cham Drinkers founders spoke about their organization’s goals and vision for growing Southeast Asian streamers and content as well as creating supportive online spaces for the local gaming community. One of the founders of The Cham Drinkers, Nathalie Tay is also a part of The Magic Rain – core speciality in ACG events (Animation, Cosplay, and Gaming) and provides services spanning a wide range of platforms — from social media to on-ground activations, critical reviews to film.

An instrumental performance by Ian Fewbeats featuring a couple of League of Legends songs. Ian is a local musician and also an avid Malaysian cosplayer. You can check out his profile here.

The Exhibition Match

Undoubtedly, the highlight of the Grand Finals was the show match between two parliamentary district representatives: Setiawangsa by YB Nik Nazmi and Bangi by YB Syahredzan Johan. Before the match started, each MP got on stage to share their aspirations in promoting grassroots esports circuits regardless of their respective locations, supported by local communities. Esports is commonly viewed as an unhealthy addiction in Malaysia, which needs to be changed into an activity that can be cultivated into a viable hobby and career for generations to come.

YB Nik Nazmi and YB Syahredzan Johan went head-to-head, showcasing their expertise and fighting spirit in intense matches in FIFA 23 and Street Fighter 6. Starting with FIFA, YB Nik Nazmi chose team Liverpool and YB Syahredzan with team Everton. YB Nik Nazmi scored the first goal in the first half. In the second half, YB Syahredzan landed one penalty score, tying both teams for the first match.

In the second match, both MPs failed to score and landed on a penalty shoot-out. YB Nik Nazmi scored the first penalty goal followed by YB Syahredzan scoring the second and last penalty shoot-out. FIFA 23 ended in a 3 – 2 victory for team Bangi representing YB Syahredzan against team Setiawangsa, YB Nik Nazmi.

For Street Fighter 6, YB Syahredzan chose Dee Jay and YB Nik Nazmi chose Ryu. YB Syahredzan won the first match, ending it with a heavy kick attack. The second match was between Luke (YB Syahredzan) and E. Honda (YB Nik Nazmi). Luke knocked out E. Honda with rage combos in the first and second rounds.

In the final match, Cammy (YB Syahredzan) and Chun-Li (YB Nik Nazmi) face off. YB Nik Nazmi won the first round, followed by YB Syahredzan. With both tied, the crowd was on the edge of their seats. YB Syahredzan went full force and used special combos to knock out YB Nik Nazmi. With a score of 3 – 0, YB Syahredzan defeated YB Nik Nazmi in Street Fighter 6.

It was an epic showdown between the two constituencies that left fans and supporters with an unforgettable experience.

The Grand Finals

After eliminating several qualified teams in the Semi-Finals, the first Final match started with GigaBash, followed by Street Fighter 6, Fifa 23, and Mobile Legends Bang Bang. Here are the results:

Under GigaBash, team Setiawangsa won RM1000 cash prize for the Grand Finals, plus RM500 for the preliminary winner and RM250 for the preliminary runner-up.

With RM1000 from the Grand Finals and RM500 from the preliminary tournament, Syed Ariff Shah won the cash prize for his team Setiawangsa under Street Fighter 6.

In FIFA 23, Ahmad Farid defeated opponents in both the preliminary tournament and the Grand Finals and won a total of RM1,500 in cash prizes.

In Mobile Legends Bang Bang, a fierce competition between two teams resulted in Team Eren from Bangi being the winner, receiving RM1000 for the Grand Finals and RM500 from the Bangi Preliminary.

The overall atmosphere of the event was electric, as fans and enthusiasts came together to share their passion for esports. Laughter, friendly banter, and enthusiastic conversations filled the room, creating a sense of camaraderie among the attendees. The event successfully brought together a community of like-minded individuals, united by their love of video games and esports.

The LEAP Season 1 Grand Finals was an incredible celebration of gaming, fierce competition, and community. Cementing the first-ever Liga Esports Antara Parlimen between two constituencies in its first season. Would this be the end of LEAP in 2023? Definitely not, as Season 2 begins in Q4 this year!

Huge shoutout to The Magic Rain team for assisting LEAP throughout the first season! Check out what’s in store for The Magic Rain on their official website.

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