Malaysia & Russia strengthen Esports ties through strategic MoU
MOSCOW, 14 September 2026: The Malaysia Esports Federation (MESF) and the Russian Esports Federation (RESF) have formalised a new chapter of bilateral esports cooperation yesterday, through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Strategic Cooperation in Esports Development, during the final of the BRICS Esports Championship powered by GigaChat at the VK Play Arena in Moscow.
The MoU was signed by representatives from both federations, the Deputy President of MESF, Afiq Fadhli bin Narawi and President of RESF, Dmitry Smith, and is set to establish a framework for Malaysia and Russia to work together and strengthen the esports ecosystems of both countries, with cooperation covering international competitions, athlete and national team development, coaching and technical expertise, education and knowledge exchange, technology and innovation, youth and grassroots development, as well as esports industry collaboration.
The MoU will also explore the establishment of a Malaysia–Russia Esports Friendship Programme, which may include friendly competitions and Friendship Cups, reciprocal national team training camps, athlete and professional exchanges, youth and university programmes, technology collaboration and esports business initiatives.
“This is more than just the signing of an MoU. It is the beginning of a practical partnership where we want to create real opportunities for our athletes, coaches, officials, institutions and esports industry players from both countries,” said Afiq in a press statement. “Russia has a strong esports ecosystem and Malaysia, together with our growing esports industry and talent base, has much that we can share with one another. Through this cooperation, we hope to build a relationship that goes beyond competitions and creates meaningful exchanges in education, technology, talent development and the wider esports industry,”
As an immediate gesture following the signing, Afiq also presented a commemorative invitation plaque to Dmitry Smith, symbolically extending an official invitation to the Russian Esports Federation and its esports delegation to participate in the upcoming Sarawak Esports Expo 2026 (SAREX26) in Sarawak from November 14 to 15, 2026, signifying MESF’s intention to translate the newly established partnership into tangible programmes and international engagement.
The invitation also provides an opportunity for both federations to explore future activities in Malaysia, including bilateral esports programmes, friendly competitions, training and bootcamp opportunities, knowledge exchanges and potential industry-to-industry collaboration. Dmitry Smith welcomed the cooperation between the two federations and highlighted the importance of strengthening Russia’s international esports relationships, particularly with countries in the Asian region.
For MESF, the partnership forms part of its broader commitment to strengthen Malaysia’s international esports relationships, create greater international exposure for Malaysian talent and establish new pathways for cooperation between Malaysia and leading esports ecosystems around the world.
Through the MoU, MESF and RESF intend to maintain regular engagement and identify programmes that can be jointly implemented at national, regional and international levels, including opportunities connected to BRICS countries and partner nations.
The agreement will remain in effect for three years, with the possibility of renewal through mutual agreement.
