Universiti Malaysia Terengganu’s Terengganu e-Sailing League is held on a digital sailing platform called ‘Virtual Regatta’.
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu’s Terengganu e-Sailing League is held on a digital sailing platform called ‘Virtual Regatta’.

With sports grounds being closed down due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) hosted the first Terengganu e-Sailing League, recently.

The national-level esports event was organised in collaboration with the Terengganu State Sports Council and Terengganu Windsurfing Sailing Association.

Held on a digital sailing platform called "Virtual Regatta", the event saw the participation of 170 local and international competitors, comprising 36 university students, two persons with disabilities, three national athletes preparing for the Olympics, as well as two participants from Indonesia and Brunei.

Six categories were opened in the competition, namely Overall, University Student, Under 12, 13 to 15, 16 to 21 and 22 and Above.

Former national sailor Khairuddin Abdul Ghani said: "I have been interested in sailing since I was eight years old. However, due to my health condition, I am unclear of my future performance in the sailing sport.

"Upon hearing about the programme, I looked forward to putting my sailing skills that I have learnt in the past into the competition. I hope this virtual event makes up for the feeling of not being able to get on the water," he said.

UMT Sailing Centre director Mohd Hafizi Said said the programme was aimed at keeping sailors' morale high.

It also served as a platform for young or beginner sailors to gain experience from the comfort of their own home.

"Hopefully, this competition will keep their motivation high as it's been a while since they underwent training," said the Faculty of Maritime Studies lecturer.

"It's a great opportunity for athletes to continue their training virtually as the platform incorporates similar rules and penalties.

"Participants can also improve their strategic and tactical thinking while connecting with fellow sailors, resembling the real thing.

"For UMT students whose practical training includes sailing, the Virtual Regatta application is a great alternative to conduct online teaching and learning after their original plans of going to the water were upended by the pandemic."

He added that the university will resume the e-sailing competition in the future, even when normal races on water were allowed, as part of the university's initial effort in finding esports athletes to compete at the e-Sailing World Championship.