Photo: AFP/SPA
Eurasia
28/10/2023 05:47
The competition will be held annually in Riyadh starting summer 2024, a statement from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said, according to CNA.
Clubs will compete across games from various genres to become the ultimate Esports World Cup champion, the statement said.
Sports, e-sports and gaming have been part of the crown prince's transformation plan, known as Vision 2030, in which the government is pouring hundreds of billions of dollars to diversify the kingdom's economy and reduce its reliance on oil.
Saudi Arabia's Savvy Games Group, owned by sovereign wealth fund PIF, said last year it will invest 142 billion riyals (US$37.8 billion) in initiatives aimed at making Saudi Arabia a global hub for gaming.
Under the plan, the kingdom aims to set up 250 games companies locally, which will create 39,000 jobs, and raise the sector's contribution to Saudi GDP to 50 billion riyals by 2030.
"The Esports World Cup is the natural next step in Saudi Arabia's journey to become the premier global hub for gaming and esports, offering an unmatched esports experience that pushes the boundaries of the industry," the crown prince was quoted in the statement as saying.
The competition will help achieve Vision 2030 objectives by boosting tourism, creating jobs and providing entertainment for residents and visitors, he added.
Asia is experiencing a huge digital revolution, with mobile payments on the surge in the region. China is leading the way with the world’s largest internet user population and smartphone market, but other countries such as India and Indonesia have also stepped up to the plate.
The National University of Singapore (NUS) consistently makes the top 100 in all higher education rankings worldwide, and this year it came a quite prestigious 11th in one ranking. We asked the rector of NUS, renowned mathematician and French knight, Professor Eng Chye Tan about the secret of their success.
Network can send the equivalent of 150 films per second, three times faster than nearest rival in the US and two years earlier than industry forecasts.