Cristiano Ronaldo chats with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as the country announces the eSports World Cup from 2024.
Cristiano Ronaldo took part in a panel discussion in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, to celebrate the announcement of the first Esports World Cup in 2024. During the event, the Al-Nassr striker had the opportunity to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman.
Expressing his gratitude, Ronaldo shared his thoughts on social media, stating: “It was an honor to reunite with His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman and a privilege to take part in today’s panel discussion on the future of esports and the Exciting start of the first part ever #esportsworldcup, scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia next year!”
In an announcement by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia revealed its plans to host an annual e-sports world championship. With the inclusion of the most popular games worldwide and the largest prize pool in the history of esports, the competition is set to be a standout event.
From summer 2024, Riyadh will host the annual tournament. The competition pits clubs with games of different genres against each other, all fighting for the prestigious title of Esports World Cup Champion.
Sports, e-sports and gaming were an integral part of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 transformation plan. The Saudi government has invested billions of dollars to diversify the country’s economy and reduce its dependence on oil.
As part of this plan, Savvy Games Group, owned by sovereign wealth fund PIF, announced last year that it would invest 142 billion riyals ($37.8 billion) in various initiatives to establish Saudi Arabia as a global gaming hub to establish. These initiatives aim to develop the gaming industry in the country and position Saudi Arabia as a leading player in the global gaming landscape.
As part of the broader plan, Saudi Arabia has set a goal of establishing 250 local gaming companies, which is expected to create around 39,000 job opportunities. The goal is to increase the gaming sector’s contribution to Saudi Arabia’s GDP to 50 billion riyals by 2030.
Expressing his vision for the Esports World Cup, the Crown Prince stated: “The Esports World Cup is the natural progression in Saudi Arabia’s journey to becoming the world’s leading gaming and esports hub, offering an unparalleled esports experience, that pushes the boundaries of the industry.” The aim is to position Saudi Arabia as a pioneer in the world of esports and reinforce the country’s status as a premier destination for gaming enthusiasts.
The announcement of the Esports World Cup was made at the New Global Sport Conference in Saudi Arabia. The conference brought together prominent figures from the sports, gaming and esports industries, including senior officials and global leaders.
The tournament aims to cement Riyadh’s position as a gaming capital while capitalizing on the Saudi youth’s immense passion for gaming. It also draws inspiration from the success of domestic esports events such as the first and second editions of GEMERS8, showcasing the country’s potential and talent.
Further information about the Esports World Cup will be released in early 2024 and will include more details about the competition and what participants and audiences can expect from this highly anticipated event.
The tournament aims to boost tourism during the summer season, a time when Saudi Arabia typically sees a decline in hotel occupancy, tourism spending and spending at restaurants and cafes. According to SPA, on average during this period there has been a 16 percent decline in hotel occupancy, an 18 percent decline in tourism spending and a 13 percent decline in restaurant and cafe spending. The Esports World Cup aims to capitalize on this time and attract visitors to experience the excitement of competition, thereby boosting the tourism industry in Saudi Arabia.
2023-10-24 10:40:50
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