Saudi Arabia will host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games in 2025. As part of Saudi Vision 2030, the country's roadmap for economic diversification, global engagement, and enhanced quality of life, the development of esports has become a strategic focus for Saudi Arabia.
In an interview with CGTN Sports Scene's Greg Laffradi, Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation, shared his confidence in esports continuing to attract youngsters.
"We are now in a time that every generation born doesn't know a world without esports," Prince Faisal said. "Unlike us who had to learn about gaming, had to learn about esports, these young men and women that are coming up today are gamers by nature. And even traditional athletes are gamers. If you look at, you know, FIFA or EAFC, a lot of football players are playing EAFC on their side. NBA players and basketball players around the world are part of NBA 2K. You have players participating in e-sports all over the world, professional players."
Prince Faisal also talked about Saudi Arabia's cooperation with the China Media Group (CMG). The CMG National Institute for Esports Development was established in Beijing in July as a boost to China's layout of the new industry. CMG has also signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Esports World Cup Federation of Saudi Arabia and esports company VSPO, based in China, vowing to jointly organize and participate in future esports events.
"The aim here is to really bring the best of the best together. We are not looking to recreate the wheel. We want to make sure we understand what is happening around the world, what are the best players out there, how can we collaborate and work together and be a good partner to make sure that we are both growing in the best way possible," Prince Faisal continued.
"And this is the way we look at everything across our ecosystem," he added. "The first question that we have to answer before we move forward with any partnership, any investment, is an answer to the question: 'Why?' If the answer makes sense, then it's something we look at very seriously. And there is nothing about this partnership that does not answer the question, like whether it's expertise, whether it's growth, whether it's being apart and collaborating with the best of the best."