The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has partnered with the National Olympic Committee of Saudi Arabia to bring the first Olympic Esports Games to Riyadh in 2025. This groundbreaking event aims to bridge the gap between traditional sports and the rapidly growing world of esports.
Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation, shared his vision with CGTN Sports Scene’s Greg Laffradi. \"It's an opportunity to learn. It's an opportunity to do better,\" Prince Faisal emphasized. \"The center of everything we do are these players in this community. If we keep them at the center, we're doing the right thing by this industry.\"
The Riyadh venue spans approximately 34,000 square meters, featuring four distinct areas: three dedicated to competitions and one serving as a production hub. This state-of-the-art facility is designed to host players and fans from around the world, fostering a vibrant and inclusive esports environment.
Highlighting the unique nature of esports, Prince Faisal noted, \"Esports and gaming as a platform are unlike any other sport, where the differentiator is your skill level alone, not physical prowess. It doesn't matter your size, gender, or background. What matters is your skill level in the game through an avatar. This creates a unifying force that brings people together rather than separates them.\"
The inaugural Olympic Esports Games in Riyadh is set to showcase the best of competitive gaming, promoting diversity and global connection through the universal language of esports.
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Saudi esports chief calls esports unifying force across diversity
cgtn.com
