PB ESI Dubs Esports Athletes as Digital Heroes in Modern Era

The Indonesian Esports Executive Board (PB ESI) affirms that the nation's esports athletes are digital heroes fighting to elevate the country's name globally. This statement was conveyed by PB ESI Daily Chairman Bambang Sunarwibowo during the commemoration of Heroes Day on November 10, 2025. 

According to him, the spirit of heroism in the modern era is no longer confined to physical struggle but also encompasses tangible contributions in achievement, knowledge, and integrity.

“Esports athletes are now digital heroes. They are the nation's ambassadors in fiercely competitive global arenas. Every time Indonesian esports athletes raise the Red and White flag internationally, they not only bring home trophies but also become a source of pride for the Indonesian nation,” stated Bambang on Monday, November 10, 2025. 

The struggle in the digital realm, he continued, demands high dedication and sportsmanship. Their commitment to pursuing championship titles simultaneously positions them as New Heroes by becoming role models for the youth. 

PB ESI emphasizes that the meaning of Heroes Day for them is to emulate the fighting spirit of past heroes by contributing according to their respective fields — including through esports.

“For PB ESI, Heroes Day is about reaffirming the fighting spirit to achieve the best accomplishments in our field of expertise for the nation and state,” said Bambang.

To instill these values, PB ESI implements tiered development through the Student Esports League, University Esports League, and National Esports League, complemented by sports science approaches and psychological mentoring at the National Training Center (Pelatnas). The goal is to build character, a champion's mentality, and a sense of responsibility from an early stage.

Bambang also called on young people to view esports not merely as entertainment but as a means to contribute to the nation.

“Make esports one of the engines driving change. Records of achievement, high fighting spirit, sportsmanship values, and the spirit of defending the nation in esports become the main foundation for struggle in the digital era,” he said.

Aiming for Overall Champion at SEA Games 2025

PB ESI is targeting the overall champion title at the SEA Games 2025, set to take place in Thailand this coming December. 

“We hope that at the upcoming SEA Games in Thailand at the end of this year, we expect, we have prepared a vision for all competition events. We hope we can become the overall champion, we target it like that and hopefully, this can be an achievement,” said Bambang after appreciating the Indonesian national esports team athletes for their achievements internationally on Thursday, October 2, 2025.

Bambang affirmed that preparations for the SEA Games are well underway.

“For training or training camps, we have been conducting them since approximately 5 months ago. We expect that after 7 months of this training, we will be ready to compete and start achieving better results at the SEA Games,” he stated.

This target is not without reason. At the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia, Indonesia successfully became the esports overall champion with three gold and two silver medals. Gold medals were won in MLBB Women, Valorant team, and PUBG Mobile team events. Meanwhile, the two silvers came from Crossfire and PUBG Mobile solo. (Antara)