The Malaysian esports scene took a huge step forward after the National Sports Council (NSC) of Malaysia held a ceremony to hand over the Jalur Gemilang to five professional gamers on Thursday.

The recipients were Ahmad Ramli Hamsani, Norameen Burhanuddin, Khairul Amin Shamsudin, and Hafeez Shariffudin who will be competing at Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) 2018 2v2 Asia in Bangkok, Thailand, and Luqman Haziq Hajiman at FIFA Ultimate Team 2018 Playoff in Barcelona, Spain.

Being a symbolic gesture typically reserved for Malaysian athletes participating in major tournaments, it officially recognised them as national representatives and validated esports in the country.

"This is the first time [we are promoting] esports at the NSC building, and the starting point for esports to flourish as an elite high-performance sport for our country," said Jefri Ngadirin, NSC acting director.

"I wish all the best to our five national athletes who will competing at the two major tournaments and hope they will attain success and make the country proud, just like Nicol David, Lee Chong Wei and Azizulhasni Awang have."

Esports Malaysia president Latt Shariman Abdullah expressed his delight at the recognition received.

"Millions of youths in Malaysia now stand a chance not only to make their families proud, but their country proud as well," he said.

"The Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the National Sports Council have [also] acknowledged esports as a sport in Malaysia by setting up a special unit to develop and groom talent in Malaysia to compete on the world stage.

"We would like to thank Khairy Jamaluddin [Minister of Youth and Sports] and Ahmad Sapawi Ismail [NSC director-general] for officially recognising the needs of our Malaysian youth."