Prince Faisal bin Bandar, President of the Saudi eSports Federation, stated during a panel discussion titled "Sports as Investment Platforms for Growth" at the Sports Investment Forum in Riyadh that eSports has evolved from a mere hobby to a field requiring significant support from the private sector.
The prince highlighted that the number of professional players in the eSports federation has reached 1.2 million players, reflecting the substantial growth this sport has experienced in the Kingdom. He stressed the importance of private sector investments in fostering this growth, saying, "We need investments from the private sector to transition from a local framework to global competition."
Event Details
Prince Faisal bin Bandar's remarks came during the three-day Sports Investment Forum, which covered various topics related to the development of different sports in the Kingdom. Prince Sultan bin Fahd bin Salman, President of the Saudi Marine Sports and Diving Federation, also emphasized the importance of private sector support, noting that the number of diving licenses for Saudi citizens has reached 50,000 licenses.
Additionally, Prince Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman bin Nasser, President of the Saudi Table Tennis Federation, discussed the impact of sports investment in achieving tangible leaps, mentioning that the number of professional table tennis players in the Kingdom has reached 6,000 players, who have achieved their goals by 150%.
Background & Context
eSports is recognized as one of the fastest-growing fields globally, and Saudi Arabia has seen a rising interest in it in recent years. This aligns with Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the Saudi economy and enhance the role of youth across various sectors.
The Kingdom seeks to capitalize on this interest through new investments and the development of infrastructure that supports eSports, reflecting the government's commitment to strengthening this sector as part of its economic strategy.
Impact & Consequences
Support from the private sector for eSports is expected to enhance international competition, contributing to elevating the level of Saudi players and increasing their opportunities to participate in global tournaments.
Moreover, the increase in the number of professional players could open the door for new investments in this sector, further solidifying the Kingdom's position as a sports hub in the region.
Regional Significance
eSports presents a significant opportunity for Arab countries to enhance their standing in this global field. With the growing number of players and investors, the region could become a major center for eSports, contributing to the development of local talent.
At the conclusion of the forum, participants underscored the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors to achieve the desired goals in developing eSports, reflecting the Kingdom's ambitious vision in this area.