BALINEWSID.COM, MEDAN — The North Sumatra Provincial Esports Indonesia (ESI) Association held the 2026 North Sumatra Provincial Esports Championship (Kejurprov) as part of efforts to strengthen athlete development and improve esports performance in the province.

A total of 220 esports athletes representing 33 regencies and municipalities across North Sumatra competed in the championship, with the grand final held at the USU Student Hall of the University of North Sumatra (USU) in Medan on Sunday (Sept. 20, 2026).

The event was attended by North Sumatra Youth and Sports Agency Head M. Mahfullah Pratama Daulay, KONI North Sumatra Deputy Chairman II Prof. Dr. Indra Kasih, and North Sumatra ESI Chairman Brigjen. TNI M. N. Nasution.

The championship featured five competitive titles: Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), PUBG Mobile (PUBGM), Free Fire and Honor of Kings (HOK) in team categories, as well as E-Football/PES in individual and doubles categories.

Before reaching the grand final, the athletes competed in a series of online qualifying rounds held from Sept. 11 to 13, 2026.

North Sumatra ESI Chairman Brigjen. TNI M. N. Nasution said the provincial championship was part of the organization’s structured athlete development program. The competition was also used to identify and map promising athletes from ESI branches across the province.

“This championship serves as a platform to select, identify and map promising athletes from ESI branches across North Sumatra as part of our preparations for the 12th PORWIL in 2027,” Nasution said.

He said the competition was expected to provide a measurable basis for talent identification while strengthening the province’s athlete development pipeline ahead of future regional and national competitions.

North Sumatra ESI also expressed its appreciation to the sponsors and partners supporting the 2026 championship, including PLN, Agrinas Palma Nusantara, Inalum, Pertamina, Telkomsel, PTPN and Bank Mandiri.

Through structured competitions and continued support from various stakeholders, North Sumatra ESI aims to develop esports athletes capable of representing the province at regional and national competitions and eventually competing on the international stage.