RIYADH: Iraqi E-Sports Federation and Thriving, the Saudi talent and content-creating foundation, announced the signing of a strategic cooperation agreement on Thursday.
The partnership aims to increase the visibility of the Iraqi E-Sports Federation in the Arab electronic sports landscape by organizing competitions, developing content and promoting shared objectives and visions.
“Our goal is to transfer a better experience to Iraq, achieve future partnerships, attract sponsors and give Iraqis the opportunity to participate in tournaments and clubs,” said Hayder Jaafar, president of the Iraqi E-Sports Federation.
Moayad El-Tayeb, president of Thriving, told Arab News that signing such an agreement would help to enrich e-sports content throughout the Arab world.
“The future of video game and e-sports content in Saudi Arabia is thriving and this is why signing such an agreement will enhance the ability to achieve our common goals and implement the common vision,” he said. “We will work together to organize tournaments, manage and develop content.”
Saudi Arabia-based Thriving is a foundation that manages, develops and produces video games and electronic sports projects.
El-Tayeb said that the organization had ties with three other teams, including a Qatari e-sports team.
The CEO of Ads Soul Foundation, Abdulaziz Al-Zahrani, said that the collaboration presented many opportunities.
“Today’s agreement is an important step to strengthen the relationship, develop mechanisms for holding tournaments and competitions, and create and train players, in addition to ensuring high-quality content,” he said.
Thriving will provide marketing services as part of the relationship, in addition to monitoring social media accounts, organizing competitions, supporting the goals of the Iraqi E-Sports Federation and creating a platform for professional players.
The launch of the Gamers8, the world’s e-sports event, in Riyadh has attracted considerable interest from the Arab federations for electronic sports and received strong support from the Kingdom.
Riyadh season will begin with several significant events in professional tournaments and entertainment activities that bring together the greatest number of video games and e-sports. This cooperation will increase the opportunity to expand these activities and events.
Alliance between Thriving and Iraqi E-Sports Federation combines huge dreams and passionate visions
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Alliance between Thriving and Iraqi E-Sports Federation combines huge dreams and passionate visions
- Iraqi federation and Saudi talent and content-creating foundation announce signing of new partnership
- Strategic cooperation agreement will help raise profile of Iraqi E-sport Federation at Gamers8 in Kingdom
Saudi national football team to face UAE at West Asian Youth Championship final
RIYADH: The Saudi national football team has qualified for the final match of the Arab Diar Championship for West Asian U-19 teams, organized by the West Asian Football Federation and hosted by the Taif Governorate, Saudi Arabia, state news agency SPA reported on Thursday.
The semifinal matches were held on Wednesday, where the Saudi national team defeated its Syrian opposition with a score of 2-0, while the UAE defeated Jordan 2-1.
The final match is scheduled to be held next Friday at the King Fahd Sports City Stadium in the Taif Governorate at 9 p.m.
‘Exponentially larger’ World Cup in Riyadh to elevate Esports to new heights, says tournament CEO
- 8-week tournament a ‘leap forward’ for global gaming, organizers say
- ‘Unprecedented’ broadcasting network will ensure expanded global coverage
Riyadh: In a significant leap for the global gaming industry, Riyadh is set to host the Esports World Cup, which promises new levels of competition and cultural exchange.
Building on the success of previous events such as Gamers8, the new tournament aims to elevate esports to new heights.
Arab News interviewed Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, ahead of the event to explore the global impact of the tournament on the gaming industry and beyond.
“We don’t want to be just another competition. Our goal is to leapfrog the industry and bring it together on a scale never seen before,” he said.
“With 22 competitions and 21 games, this is not just twice as big as anything before — it’s exponentially larger.”
Reichert highlighted Riyadh’s strategic location as a bridge between the West and the Middle East, creating a unique opportunity to unite gamers from both regions.
The eight-week event will celebrate the sport and its culture, pushing the entire industry forward, he said.
The CEO said there is a clear vision for the tournament, but executing it on this scale was daunting.
“Time was our biggest enemy,” he said. Despite this, strong support from publishers, a comprehensive qualification strategy, and numerous broadcasting partnerships have been secured.
“If you haven’t heard about it yet, our job is to make sure you do,” he added, emphasizing their commitment to broadening the event’s reach.
The response to the tournament has been overwhelmingly positive, with significant interest from broadcasting and media partners.
“We initially aimed for 15 games, but we’re starting with 21, featuring the best games in the world,” Reichert said.
Global esports supporters have rallied behind the event, resulting in more than 50 broadcasting partners worldwide.
“We’ve built an unprecedented broadcasting network, ensuring true global coverage from companies across the US, India, Africa, South America, Korea, and China.”
Reichert also discussed the thriving gaming culture in Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East.
“About 67 percent of the Saudi population identifies as gamers. Gaming is a core cultural pillar here,” though the world may not fully realize this yet, he said.
The region’s young population and leadership are highly supportive of gaming, backed by initiatives such as Vision 2030, and the national gaming and esports strategy.
Saudi Arabia has already produced several gaming champions, and the CEO sees the Esports World Cup as a catalyst for nurturing more local talent.
“This tournament is a chance for fans to see the best gamers live and for aspiring players to envision themselves on these stages,” he said.
The event aims to inspire young gamers to pursue their dreams of becoming national and even global stars, helping to further popularize esports worldwide.
In a message to gaming fans, the CEO encouraged everyone in the region to attend the event.
“You’ll witness the best sport in the world played live and experience fantastic gaming, esports, and cultural entertainment. This is more than just a tournament— it’s a fanfest. We call it the Esports World Cup Festival, a historic moment you don’t want to miss. If you can’t be there in person, make sure to tune in online.”
Saudi Hockey Federation to hold training camp in Egypt
- SHF selected players based on their performances during recent try-out camps in Saudi Arabia
- Event takes place in Port Said, Cairo
CAIRO: The Saudi Hockey Federation has selected more than 20 players to participate in an upcoming two-week camp in Egypt which starts on June 30.
The players were selected following their performances during recent try-out camps in Saudi Arabia. The camp in Egypt takes place in Port Said between June 30 and July 7 before moving on to Cairo until July 14.
It will look to enhance the performance of the players through training programs and lectures aimed at improving their skills, under the supervision of specialized technical staff appointed by the SHF.
The organization added that its performance development camp was part of its strategy to enhance the technical and physical performance of players and to develop young talents.
The SHF aims to raise the level of the sport to strengthen its standing within Saudi Arabia.
Saudi firm announced as Esports World Cup elite partner
- Partnership means stc Group will provide connectivity across all EWC venues
LONDON: Saudi-based stc Group has been named as an “Elite and Founding Partner” of the Esports World Cup which starts in Riyadh next month.
The partnership for the tournament, which will run from July 3 to Aug. 25, was announced at an official ceremony attended by Group Chief Commercial Officer Faisal Al-Saber and Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation.
It means stc Group will provide connectivity across all EWC venues and has exclusive naming rights for three venues in Riyadh which will host events during the tournament — the stc Arena, the stc Play Gaming Hall, and the stc TV World Cup Studios.
“I’m proud to welcome stc Group, a telecommunications giant and digital pioneer, as an Elite and Founding Partner of the Esports World Cup,” said Reichert.
“stc Group is the digital backbone of our competitions and will bring the EWC content to local and global audiences. stc will enable fans … to stay connected with the special stc SIM card.”
He added: “As one of the largest companies in the MENA region, their support means we’re not only going to offer exceptional digital access for fans and athletes but can take the Esports World Cup to the next level.”
Olayan Al-Wetaid, stc Group CEO, said his firm’s partnership with the Esports World Cup was a symbol of its commitment to improving the future of gaming in the Kingdom.
“We are thrilled to be deploying our seamless world-class connectivity, enabling the Kingdom to become the premier global hub for gaming,” he said.
“stc Group is committed to bringing this event to life with innovative technological solutions, as well as showcasing the vast scale and scope of its services.”
Al-Nassr to feature in historic first edition of AFC Women’s Champions League in 2024/25
- The Riyadh-based club become first Saudi Arabian female team to compete in the region’s top women’s club competition
- Al-Nassr among 22 sides to feature in new-look competition, kicks off with preliminary group stage in August
RIYADH: The Asian Football Confederation has announced that Al-Nassr FC are set to represent Saudi Arabia in the inaugural edition of the AFC Women’s Champions League in the forthcoming 2024/25 season.
Al-Nassr won the 2023/24 Women’s Premier League to qualify for the new tournament, with the draw for the preliminary rounds to take place at the AFC House in July. The draw will determine the groups for the opening matches, which are set to take place from Aug. 25-31.
Al-Nassr are the first Saudi women’s side to compete in the region’s top club competition, which boasts 22 teams from AFC’s top-ranked nations, including Japan, Australia, North Korea, and China.
The team’s qualification showcases the remarkable growth of women’s football in the Kingdom in recent years. It follows the formation of the first women’s national team in 2021 and the first professional women’s league in 2022.
The AFC also confirmed that Saudi Arabia would host one group in the preliminary stages of the competition, marking the second occasion that the Kingdom has hosted a professional women’s football event following the successful West Asian Football Federation Women’s Championship.
This is the icing on the cake for women’s football in the Kingdom, following the conclusion of the second season of the Women’s Premier League.
Hosting the opening rounds will add to Saudi Arabia’s legacy as a global hub for international sporting events, with over 25 major football showcases held in the Kingdom in recent years.
Yasser Al-Misehal, president of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, said: “The fact that Al-Nassr will be competing in the first edition of the AFC Women’s Champions League is a proud moment for Saudi Arabian football, as we achieve another important football milestone in our transformational journey.
“We hope that this will keep inspiring a new generation of girls to engage with the sport.”
SAFF’s Vice President Lamia Bahaian said: “The speed of the journey to reach the pinnacle of women’s club football in Asia is breathtaking.
“Women’s football in the Kingdom is supported at every level but is only possible thanks to the skill, commitment and determination of all the players and coaches in the league.
“We all share in the excitement of this moment. For Saudi Arabia, this is more than just competing. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect, host and learn from the very best in the continent and we will welcome that with open arms. Our journey continues.”
Sara Khalid, the goalkeeper for the Saudi Arabian national women’s team and Al-Nassr, said: “It’s an incredible feeling to have qualified for the first edition of the AFC Women’s Champions League. This moment is a testament to not only the work of everyone at Al-Nassr to support us in our recent successful season, but from everyone within the Kingdom to help us grow the game in our country to this level.”
Women’s football in Saudi Arabia has seen an 86 percent increase in participation within the sport since 2021, with more than 70,000 girls of school age now playing football across the Kingdom.
