From vision to victory: Saudi Arabia’s roadmap to esports excellence revealed

Saudi Arabia’s ambitious drive to become a global hub for esports and gaming has been highlighted at a Riyadh forum featuring industry leaders from around the world. (AN Photo/Abdulrahman Shalhoub)
Saudi Arabia’s ambitious drive to become a global hub for esports and gaming has been highlighted at a Riyadh forum featuring industry leaders from around the world. (AN Photo/Abdulrahman Shalhoub)
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Updated 24 August 2024
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From vision to victory: Saudi Arabia’s roadmap to esports excellence revealed

From vision to victory: Saudi Arabia’s roadmap to esports excellence revealed
  • The New Global Sports Conference on Aug. 24-25 included panel discussions that provided a comprehensive look at the Kingdom’s strategy for esports

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s ambitious drive to become a global hub for esports and gaming has been highlighted at a Riyadh forum featuring industry leaders from around the world.

The New Global Sports Conference on Aug. 24-25 included panel discussions that provided a comprehensive look at the Kingdom’s strategic investments, innovative approaches, and broader vision for the future of esports.

Key figures outlined their plans and aspirations in a panel discussion titled “Game On, Saudi Arabia,” showcasing the nation’s commitment to becoming a major player on the international stage.

Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, head of the Saudi Esports Federation, talked about the Kingdom’s goal to raise its status in the global esports arena.

Historically, countries such as France, China, South Korea, and Japan have been dominant, he said. However, Saudi Arabia aims to shift this narrative from “Why Saudi?” to “Why not Saudi?”

Through events such as the Esports World Cup, and substantial investments in local talent and infrastructure, the Kingdom is determined to place itself on par with established esports powerhouses.

“We want Saudi to be a natural part of the conversation about esports, just like the other leading countries,” Prince Faisal said.

The Kingdom is not only investing in events and talent, but also improving its educational programs and infrastructure to support the growth of the esports industry.

“Things like this Esports World Cup. It showcases the talent that we have on the event side, on the players’ side, our young men and women, showing our capabilities.

“We deserve to be on the stage with all the best teams in the world like we have here,” the prince added.

Abdullah Alswaha, Saudi minister of communications and information technology, highlighted the value of the gaming industry, a sector now valued at $200 billion and tipped to exceed $1 trillion.




Adwa Alarifi, Saudi assistant minister of sport affairs, and deputy minister of strategic planning and investment, discussed the Kingdom’s strategic approach to integrating esports into its broader sports and entertainment strategy. (AN Photo/Abdulrahman Shalhoub)

Alswaha emphasized the transformative potential of esports, saying that gaming has driven technological advancements and innovation, with examples such as generative AI and its gaming connections.

“If it wasn’t for video gaming, you would not appreciate generative AI as we appreciate it today,” he said. “If it wasn’t for gaming, Elon Musk would not have started at the age of 12. Created a game called Blaster that motivated him and inspired him to move into STEM into coding into space and creating.”

Alswaha also discussed the social benefits of gaming, including its positive effects on mental health and social connections.

Saudi Arabia is committed to leveraging esports not only as a profitable sector, but also as a vehicle for societal good, he said.

“We should be all collectively, very proud as publishers, investors, and global partners, because you’re part of a movement that is the innovation trigger to the next big thing, not only for a game or a sport, but for a movement that is touching artificial intelligence, innovation, space and life as we know it.”

Adwa Alarifi, Saudi assistant minister of sport affairs, and deputy minister of strategic planning and investment, discussed the Kingdom’s strategic approach to integrating esports into its broader sports and entertainment strategy.

Since the launch of Vision 2030, “we’ve hosted more than 100 international events in the last five years, and we’ve welcomed more than 2.5 million sports fans during those events, and the impact on our people it’s just incredible,” Alarifi said.

She said that the rise in sports engagement demonstrates the profound impact of global sporting events on local communities.

Alarifi said that with women’s participation in esports surpassing the global average and substantial increases in female sports involvement, the Kingdom is making notable progress in empowering women and youth.

“Thanks to our leadership, today, we have equal opportunities across all sectors, for both men and women, and within sports, we have equal opportunities in the whole ecosystem, starting with players and athletes, and leading up to leaders as well.

“We’re one of the few countries in the world that have mandated all sports and federations to have a seat for a female represented on the board, and that resulted in having more than 40 women national teams across different sports.”

Prince Faisal also discussed the role of education in nurturing the next generation of esports professionals. The Saudi Esports Federation has established the Saudi Esports Academy to provide comprehensive training not just for players but also for roles including coaching, production, and refereeing. The initiative aims to integrate these programs into academic curricula, making esports a viable career path for Saudi youth.

“Our investment in esports is great. That really put us on the map to showcase to the world that we’re serious about what we’re doing. To me, it’s a gateway to a greater industry that we’re trying to build here,” he said.

“It’s not just about esports, it’s about the gaming and esports industries. But none of that will come to any fruition if we don’t invest in the future, the next generation, and that’s the education, but also events like this, showcasing on the main stage what you can become.”

Mike Milanov, chairman of the Advisory Board for Gaming & Esports at Qiddiya, highlighted ambitious plans for Qiddiya’s gaming and entertainment district, which seeks to offer a comprehensive gaming experience that combines entertainment, sports, and culture.

“We’re (in Qiddiya) not afraid to take risks and think big and innovate and make sure that it’s an inclusive, global, community-centered and community-designed hub for gaming and esports. So that’s the goal of the district,” he said.

The first day of the New Global Sport Conference focused on showcasing Saudi Arabia’s determination to position itself as a global leader in esports and gaming.

The conference highlighted Saudi Arabia’s evolving role in global esports and its potential to drive the industry forward in the years to come.


Real Madrid condemn racist abuse of Barca players in Clasico

Real Madrid condemn racist abuse of Barca players in Clasico
Updated 27 October 2024
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Real Madrid condemn racist abuse of Barca players in Clasico

Real Madrid condemn racist abuse of Barca players in Clasico
  • The Spanish football federation expressed its “absolute condemnation” of the abuse

MADRID: Real Madrid condemned racism from some of their supporters aimed at Barcelona players including teenager Lamine Yamal during the club’s 4-0 Clasico defeat on Saturday.
La Liga said they would report the incidents to Spanish authorities, while the government was also critical of the abuse.
“Real Madrid strongly condemns any kind of behavior involving racism, xenophobia or violence in football and sport, and deeply regrets the insults that a few fans uttered last night in one of the corners of the stadium,” said Los Blancos in a statement Sunday.
Videos emerged on social media after the game of racial abuse aimed at Barcelona players including Yamal, with 17-year-old Spain star Yamal targeted during a goal celebration after becoming the youngest Clasico scorer.
The Spanish champions said they had “opened an investigation in order to locate and identify the perpetrators of these deplorable and despicable insults.”
“La Liga will immediately report the racist insults and gestures directed at Barcelona players to the hate crime unit of the national police,” said the Spanish top flight in a statement.
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior, who has often been the victim of racial abuse in Spain himself, offered his support to Yamal and other Barca players who were abused.
“It’s regrettable what happened yesterday at the Bernabeu with the racist insults,” wrote Vinicius on social media network X.
“There’s no space for these criminals in our society. All my support to Lamine, Ansu (Fati) and Raphinha.
“I know that Madrid and the police will work to identify and punish those guilty.”
The Spanish football federation expressed its “absolute condemnation” of the abuse.
Spain’s sports council (CSD) said their Commission against Violence, Racism, Xenophobia and Intolerance in sport would meet Monday to discuss the case.
“The Clasico is one of the greatest spectacles in the world, a true expression of the importance that football has in our country,” said the CSD in a statement.
“In it, as in any other sporting event, there can never be any room for expressions of violence, racism, xenophobia, hatred or intolerance.”
“Neither racism, nor insults, nor violence have a place in our country’s sport,” wrote Pilar Alegria, Spain’s minister for education, professional development and sports on X.
Elma Saiz, Spain’s minister for inclusion and migration, also offered support to Yamal.
“The racist insults aimed at Lamine Yamal in the Clasico are everything we in the government will fight against,” she wrote on X.
“We will not allow attacks that we do not tolerate in other spaces to become normalized in sport.”
Spanish football is struggling to combat racism in stadiums across the country.
Real Madrid forward Vinicius has become a figurehead in the fight against racism and has been targeted on numerous occasions since arriving in Spain in 2018.
The Brazilian winger earned worldwide support in May 2023 when he squared off with Valencia supporters after suffering abuse at their Mestalla stadium.
In June three Valencia supporters were sentenced to eight months in prison as a result.
In January 2023, an effigy in a Vinicius shirt was found hanging from a bridge near the club’s training ground alongside a banner saying: “Madrid hates Real.”
In December, four Atletico Madrid fans were charged over the incident, with prosecutors pushing for jail terms of four years.
This week Spanish police arrested four men suspected of inciting an online hate campaign against Vinicius.


Saudi Cup Festival 2025 to have upgraded races, record prize money

Saudi Cup Festival 2025 to have upgraded races, record prize money
Updated 27 October 2024
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Saudi Cup Festival 2025 to have upgraded races, record prize money

Saudi Cup Festival 2025 to have upgraded races, record prize money
  • Developments reflect Kingdom’s growing stature in equestrian world

LONDON: The upcoming 2025 Saudi Cup Festival will see notable upgrades to its race lineup alongside substantial increases in prize money, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

Key races, including the Riyadh Sprint Cup and the Longines Red Sea Cup, have been elevated to Group 2 status, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in global horse racing.

The Jockey Club has announced enhancements for the Riyadh Dirt Sprint, now boasting a prize of $2 million following a $500,000 increase.

The Red Sea Cup, a $2.5 million race won last year by Aidan O’Brien’s horse Tower of London, will retain its substantial purse.

Held on Feb. 21-22 next year, the Saudi Cup Festival’s second day will include one Group 3 race, four Group 2 races, and two Group 1 races: the $20 million Saudi Cup, the world’s richest horse race, and the Obaiya Cup for purebred Arabian horses, sponsored by the Diriyah Gate Development Authority.

Day one will host the Group 1 Manifa Cup for purebred Arabian horses, sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, alongside the four-round World Jockeys Challenge, drawing top riders from around the world.

Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al-Faisal, chairman of the Equestrian Authority and the Jockey Club, said that the developments reflected Saudi Arabia’s growing stature in the equestrian world, adding that they provided a strong foundation for the future of Saudi racing on a global scale.


Mo Salah strikes late as Liverpool snatch draw at title rivals Arsenal

Mo Salah strikes late as Liverpool snatch draw at title rivals Arsenal
Updated 27 October 2024
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Mo Salah strikes late as Liverpool snatch draw at title rivals Arsenal

Mo Salah strikes late as Liverpool snatch draw at title rivals Arsenal
  • Salah’s eighth goal in 13 games in all competitions this season was aided by Arsenal’s latest rash of injuries

LONDON: Mohamed Salah rescued Liverpool as the Egypt star’s late equalizer earned a pulsating 2-2 draw against title rivals Arsenal on Sunday.
Arne Slot’s side were on the brink of only their second defeat this season until Salah netted with nine minutes left at the Emirates Stadium.
Liverpool had fallen behind to Bukayo Saka’s early opener and, although Virgil van Dijk equalized, Mikel Merino put Arsenal back in front before half-time.
Salah’s eighth goal in 13 games in all competitions this season was aided by Arsenal’s latest rash of injuries, with defenders Gabriel Magalhaes and Jurrien Timber both forced off in the second half.
Manchester City were the real winners on Sunday as the draw in north London ensured they finished the weekend on top of the Premier League.
Unbeaten City, who beat Southampton 1-0 on Saturday, are one point ahead of second-placed Liverpool, with third-placed Arsenal sitting five points adrift of top spot.
It was only the second time Liverpool had failed to win since Slot replaced Jurgen Klopp in the close-season, starting his Anfield reign with 12 victories from 13 games in all competitions.
Even so, Liverpool will be happier with the point after showing impressive resolve to twice come from behind against a fellow title contender.
Arsenal were left to lick their wounds after the defensive injuries that left them fatally exposed.
They were already without Riccardo Calafiori, sidelined by an injury suffered against Shakhtar Donetsk in midweek, while William Saliba served a suspension following his dismissal in last weekend’s loss at Bournemouth.
Mikel Arteta’s side have now gone two league games without a win, leaving them with only three victories in their last seven top-flight matches in a major setback to their hopes of a first title since 2004.
Saka, back from two games out with injury, had given Arsenal the perfect start in the ninth minute.
Ben White’s sublime long pass sent Saka surging down the right flank before he deftly cut back into the Liverpool area, leaving Andrew Robertson trailing in his wake as he lashed a fierce close-range strike into the roof of the net.
Merino nearly gifted Liverpool an immediate equalizer when he carelessly let the ball run to Salah, who rifled his shot just wide from the edge of the area.
So often over the last two seasons, Arsenal have been dead ball masters thanks to their set-piece coach Nicolas Jover, but for once they were exposed as Liverpool drew level in the 18th minute.
Luis Diaz beat Kai Havertz to flick on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s corner and Van Dijk got in front of Thomas Partey as the Dutch defender stooped to head home from close-range.
But Arsenal’s prowess from set-pieces enabled them to regain the lead in the 43rd minute.
Declan Rice’s teasing free-kick arrowed into the Liverpool area and Merino was perfectly placed to thump his header past Caoimhin Kelleher from six yards.
A lengthy VAR check followed to confirm Merino was just onside as the Spain midfielder celebrated his first goal since his close-season arrival from Real Sociedad.
Arsenal keeper David Raya plunged to his right to keep out Alexis Mac Allister’s header on the final seconds of a thrilling first half.
Arteta’s already makeshift defense suffered another blow when Gabriel limped off with a knee injury after a challenge from Darwin Nunez early in the second half.
Without their first choice center-back, Arsenal adopted a more cautious approach and Raya was booked for time-wasting with over 20 minutes to play.
But the Gunners lost Timber to an injury in the closing stages as their defensive issues reached crisis point and handed Liverpool a lifeline.
With just nine minutes left, Arsenal’s under-manned rearguard was ruthlessly exposed as Alexander-Arnold’s lofted pass sent Nunez clear of teenage substitute Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Nunez slipped in the unmarked Salah and he slotted home as Arsenal slumped to the turf in frustration.


Cole Palmer fires Chelsea to victory over Newcastle, West Ham pile more pressure on Ten Hag

Cole Palmer fires Chelsea to victory over Newcastle, West Ham pile more pressure on Ten Hag
Updated 27 October 2024
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Cole Palmer fires Chelsea to victory over Newcastle, West Ham pile more pressure on Ten Hag

Cole Palmer fires Chelsea to victory over Newcastle, West Ham pile more pressure on Ten Hag
  • The Blues got back to winning ways with Palmer at the heart of their best work

LONDON: Cole Palmer inspired Chelsea to a 2-1 victory over Newcastle as West Ham piled more pressure on beleaguered Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag with a dramatic win by the same scoreline on Sunday.
Tottenham were beaten 1-0 at Crystal Palace, who picked up their first win of the season.
Chelsea had been beaten in the Premier League for the first time since Enzo Maresca’s first match in charge at Liverpool last weekend despite an impressive performance.
The Blues got back to winning ways with Palmer at the heart of their best work.
The England international had a goal marginally ruled out for offside inside the first five minutes.
Palmer was the creator for the opening goal, despite not being credited with the assist, as his sumptuous ball over the top freed Pedro Neto, who picked out Nicolas Jackson to slot in his sixth goal of the season.
Newcastle are now winless in five league games as the pressure mounts on Eddie Howe ahead of a rematch against Chelsea in the League Cup on Wednesday.
The Magpies did get back on level terms before half-time as Alexander Isak tapped in Lewis Hall’s cross at the end of a well-worked move.
Palmer took just two minutes into the second period to make the decisive impact with a driving run forward and powerful finish that beat Nick Pope at his near post.
Newcastle should have left London with a point, though, as Isak botched a huge chance to level 15 minutes from time after rounding Robert Sanchez.
Ten Hag was left to rue a familiar lack of ruthlessness as United’s fourth league defeat in nine games will spark further speculation on how long he will be given to turn the Red Devils’ fortunes around.
The visitors should have been out of sight by half-time at the London Stadium.
Alejandro Garnacho hit the woodwork inside two minutes and Edson Alvarez also headed off his own crossbar.
But it was Diogo Dalot who missed the biggest chance when the Portuguese international somehow fired over with the goal gaping after rounding Lukasz Fabianski.
Under-fire West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui showed his disgust with the Hammers’ first-half display by making three substitutions at the break.
Crysencio Summerville was one of those introduced and he slid in to open the scoring against the run of play on 74 minutes.
Casemiro brought United level nine minutes from time with a header from point-blank range.
But there was late drama when VAR intervened for a foul on Danny Ings by Matthijs de Ligt.
Jarrod Bowen smashed in the resulting spot-kick to take West Ham above United, who sink to 14th in the table.
Palace began the day in the relegation zone but were good value for the three points at Selhurst Park as Tottenham’s struggles on the road continue.
Eberechi Eze’s deft flick teed up Jean-Philippe Mateta to fire home the only goal.
Eze had a second ruled out for offside in the second half, but Tottenham, without injured captain Son Heung-min, were toothless in attack.
Spurs have won just once in five away league games this season as they slip to eighth, four points off the top four.


Left-field thought and patio heaters: How Pakistan turned series on head

Left-field thought and patio heaters: How Pakistan turned series on head
Updated 27 October 2024
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Left-field thought and patio heaters: How Pakistan turned series on head

Left-field thought and patio heaters: How Pakistan turned series on head
  • A revamped selection committee dropped out-of-form batsman Babar Azam, pace spearheads Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah
  • Azam’s replacement Kamran Ghulam, prolific in the domestic game but hitherto ignored, rewarded selectors with a century on debut

RAWALPINDI: When Pakistan slumped to a sixth Test defeat in a row, by an innings as England piled up 823-7 in Multan just over two weeks ago, it sparked some soul-searching and a radical rethink.
A revamped Pakistan selection committee dropped out-of-form batsman Babar Azam, pace spearheads Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah and instead turned to spin with instructions to groundstaff to produce pitches to match.
The featherbed batsmen’s paradise of the first Test at Multan was recycled, with the help of a dowsing by water and industrial fans, into a turning pitch for the second.
Azam’s replacement Kamran Ghulam, prolific in the domestic game but hitherto ignored, rewarded the new selectors with a century on debut.
But it was the recalled Noman Ali and Sajid Khan who ripped England apart with spin, guile and a flourish as they took all 20 wickets on their way to a 152-run victory.
More of the same was ordered for the series-deciding third Test in Rawalpindi and Pakistan completed a remarkable turnaround by nine wickets on Saturday.
The 2-1 triumph over England was their first home series win since February 2021.
“We were losing matches after matches, series after series because there was no plan,” former Pakistan wicketkeeper batsman Kamran Akmal told AFP.
“It’s thanks to the PCB for thinking out of the box and selectors for picking the discarded spinners that this win was forced,” said Akmal.
Pakistan took a punt using the same pitch for two Tests in a row in Multan.
But they pulled out all the stops in Rawalpindi, which had a reputation in the past of favoring seam bowlers, employing patio heaters and rakes to set up a spinning track.
Noman and Sajid this time shared 19 wickets as England crumbled to 112 all out and Pakistan cruised to victory by nine wickets.
Former England captain Michael Atherton gave credit to Pakistan for finally finding a way to win after a dire spell in all formats of the game.
“Pakistan now have a template to win at home,” said Atherton, who was a TV commentator for the series.
“You have got to be strong at home. Then you search for ways to adapt your game to win abroad.”
His TV colleague, another former England captain Nasser Hussain, said Pakistan “switched a plan mid-series and it’s paid dividends.”
Pakistan has had five PCB chairmen in as many years, with 26 different selectors and six head coaches over that same period.
Hussain said as a result, their previous tactics “would last a week” before being chopped and changed, ruling out an overarching strategy like the one that yielded two Test victories in a row.
“We met some fans who told us that they are happy that Pakistan at least have a plan now, even if it is an unorthodox one,” said Hussain.
“The win with a new plan has given them new joy.”
The series victory is the first Shan Masood since he was appointed captain last year and has given him respite from calls for his resignation.
But Pakistan will next play a two-match Test series in South Africa in December, where they have never won.
“We will need to plan and work hard for further progress and just not sit on this one win,” warned Akmal.
“A win will motivate everyone,” he said. “I am sure this will lift our cricket and we will regain our glory of the past.”