RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s EGZ was crowned champions in the main competition as American R&B star Jason Derulo ended the three-day Nexus gaming festival with a spectacular performance in Riyadh on Saturday.
The festival, an initiative of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority (GEA), was the first to be staged by Riot Games in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) as part of its strategy to promote electronic sports in the region.
Hundreds of people gathered at Riyadh Boulevard to witness the finals of the six competitions based on the League of Legends, and to enjoy a variety of activities and attractions.
EGZ won $400,000 as part of the total $2 million prize fund after defeating Nasr Esports in the main 5v5 Summoners Rift competition.
Coach Paul Ouani said that the festival was a great learning experience for his team and he hopes Riot Games can build on this success.
“Having the Nexus festival here is a great decision. There is enormous potential in e-sports, especially in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries. With many people watching online and live at venues, it will only get bigger,” he said
Other winners included Bassel (5v5 influencer final) and Abdulrahman Toxichill Bahmaid (1v1 champion).
As well as promoting gaming, the three-day festival also featured a music concert by US line-ups Mako and the Crystal Method, and a variety of entertainment.
Onur Tamer, METAI general manager of Riot Games, said: “As the first event on this scale for the region, it was a fantastic effort by the whole team. We have delivered something that the community has been expecting for a long time and it was great to see strong turnout during the three days.
“Attracting people of different ages is crucial in this region and we wanted to focus on three pillars — the gaming tournament, the festival area where the players would interact, and the musical experiences. We delivered that and everything was great, especially the cosplay, where a lot of people were interested.
“It is not just about gaming but going beyond that and opening League of Legends and e-sports to all people in this region,” he said.
“This event has shown that a lot of people have embraced the opportunity of visiting and learning more about League of Legends.”
Tamer said that future plans include an Arabic version of League of Legends.
“People want us to create a specific Arabic character, but it really depends on the creativity and bringing everything together to make it happen,” he said.
Saudi gamers lead the way at Nexus e-sports festival
Saudi gamers lead the way at Nexus e-sports festival
- The 3-day festival ended with a spectacular performance by R&B singer Jason Derulo
- The festival aims to promote electronic sports in the region
KSrelief’s humanitarian works benefit individuals from Yemen, Ukraine and Sudan
RIYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center’s (KSrelief) humanitarian projects in Yemen, Ukraine and Sudan continue to benefit individuals needing medical and therapeutic intervention.
In Yemen, KSrelief provided services through the Prosthetic and Rehabilitation Center in Aden to 562 patients in November as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s healthcare sector and help individuals who require prostheses.
The center also delivered 1,395 services, including the manufacturing, fitting, and rehabilitation of prosthetic limbs, along with physical therapy and specialized consultations.
Also in Aden, a team of medical volunteers undertook an adult urology surgery campaign from Dec. 15 to 22, with the nine specialists performing 15 procedures on patients. The project was implemented in collaboration with the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen
In Rzeszow, Poland, KSrelief volunteers fitted prosthetic limbs for 32 Ukrainian refugees between Dec. 8 to 15.
In Sudan’s Port Sudan, volunteers from KSrelief ran a pediatric surgical program and has successfully examined 15 children and performed seven successful surgeries so far.
‘Common Ground’ festival celebrates Saudi Arabia and Iraq cultures
- Art, music and folklore to feature at Riyadh event until Dec. 31
- Over 100 works from Iraqi and Saudi artists will be on display
RIYADH: The Kingdom launched the second “Common Ground” festival on Wednesday to celebrate the rich cultures of Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
Organized by the Culture Ministry, “Common Ground” features a variety of activities including art, music and folklore.
The ministry invited residents to “explore and celebrate Iraqi culture and the historical and cultural bonds between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Iraq through art, music, storytelling and more.”
The festival, which runs until Dec. 31, is being held at Mega Studio in Riyadh’s Boulevard City.
The event includes a tribute to writer Kareem Al-Iraqi, who died last year, for his contribution to art and literature, which includes novels, plays, songs and screenplays.
The opening night featured songs by renowned Iraqi singer-songwriter Kadim Al-Sahir. And Thursday will have several seminars led by heritage experts.
There will also be over 100 works from Iraqi and Saudi artists on display at the festival.
Meanwhile, in AlUla on Wednesday, Iraq’s Prime Minister Shia Al-Sudani was welcomed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for discussions on regional events.
Saudi aid agency KSrelief launches pediatric surgical program in war-ravaged Sudan
- Medical team assesses 15 children and carries out 7 successful operations during first few days of the project, which is staffed by volunteers
RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief this week launched a volunteer pediatric surgical program in the Sudanese city of Port Sudan.
By Wednesday, the medical team had assessed 15 children and carried out seven successful surgeries, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Sudan is locked in a civil war between two rival factions of the country’s military government that began in April 2023. It has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced about 12 million people.
The conflict has also had a devastating effect on healthcare, with more than two-thirds of major hospitals in out of service, according to the World Health Organization.
Riyadh governor receives newly appointed Palestinian envoy
Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar received the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Palestine to the Kingdom Mazen Ghoneim in Riyadh on Wednesday.
During the meeting, they discussed various topics of common interest, and Prince Faisal wished the ambassador success in his new duties, Saudi Press Agency reported.
Meanwhile, on the same day, Baha Gov. Prince Hussam bin Saud bin Abdulaziz met with Ambassaor of India to the Kingdom Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan to discuss topics of mutual interest.
Saudi, Australian defense ministers meet in Riyadh
- Prince Khalid, Richard Marles discuss latest developments in region
RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman on Wednesday received his Australian counterpart, Richard Marles, at his office in Riyadh.
The pair discussed relations between their countries as well as the latest developments in the region, including efforts to support security and stability, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
A number of other senior officials from the two sides attended the meeting. Marles is also Australia’s deputy prime minister.
