A special feature on tomorrow’s athletes by creative, events and technology entrepreneur, Jasmine Low.
Two years ago, I had a dream of starting a vocational school to upskill the youth. I have come across many talented young people around the world who may not have the opportunity to go into college or university, but highly capable and adept with their hands and have technical expertise in fixing electronic gadgets, devices etc. When you’re in Kuala Lumpur, take a walk into any of the malls and approach a mobile phone counter. You’ll find these boys. And there are girls too! So the question is, if only we could train and upskill these youngsters in the doing and making of STEM, as opposed to the academic study in STEM. I’ve been researching and still am and the dream is getting close to fruition but not yet.
In 2008, my partners and I founded by accident, the GO INTERNATIONAL youth empowerment program when we took on the license to promote eSports with ESWC in 2008 then DreamHack in 2009, Global Battle of the Bands and most recently the FAI Drone Racing World Championship in Shenzhen this year.
Q. What’s your background and why drone racing?
It was a Miss World Malaysia competition that I worked on during my days as a PR Consultant for DDB PR that inspired me on to working on international competitions. In 2008, my partners and I brought the Electronic Sports World Cup (ESWC) from Paris to KL. From eSports, music, beatboxing, rubiks cubes to drone racing, we’ve just kept our ears close to the ground and listened to what young Malaysians like and we’re so happy 68 young Malaysians have been able to pursue their dreams and push their personal goals at international festivals around the world.
All our programs so far have been funded by corporate and government agencies – kudos and mentions to the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), Intel, DiGi, Cyberview, Yokohama Batteries, Tourism Malaysia, Malaysia Airlines, AirAsiaX, Gary of PLAY Interactive, Jack of DOJO KL, Nikki Yeo and my team at Go InternationalGroup.com.
Q. Why are you championing drone racing as a sport?
Q. First you ask us to admit eSports as sport because it’s physically challenging (it is!!!), now you’re asking to admit dSports? What’s next? Paper plane flying?
Q. Alright. And all this leads to an increase of STEM uptake by our kids?
This preamble leads to two articles recently published in New Straits Times article by SuLyn Chong and in The Star Online coverage by Sharmila Nair about the two drone pilots, their helper and Coach Shah Johan (Joe).
Affiliations:
Asiafitnesstoday.com
Move8 movement
FEYST . Indie Youth Fest OFFICIAL
Malaysian E-sports Community // Go International E-Sports Cup
