The inaugural Olympic Esports Games will be held in Saudi Arabia in 2025 as revealed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The effort is part of a partnership between the IOC and Saudi Arabia's National Olympic Committee (NOC). The historic decision follows the IOC's previous announcement that its Executive Board (EB) has established the Olympic Esports Games.
First-Ever Olympic Esports Games
(Photo : International Olympic Committee / Screenshot taken from official website)
What we know so far is that the duration of the partnership between the IOC and the Saudi Arabia NOC will last for 12 years and that the Olympic Esports Games will be held regularly. In a statement, IOC president Thomas Bach praised their collaboration with the Saudi Arabia NOC.
He said that this was because the latter has great, if not unique, expertise in the field of esports with all its stakeholders.
Bach noted that by partnering together, they also ensure that Olympic values will be respected particularly with the game titles on the program, according to the International Olympic Committee.
The IOC president also noted that taking part in the Olympic Games is one of the greatest honors that any athlete can achieve in their lifetime. He was proud to be in support of writing a new chapter in Olympic history that could inspire new dreams and new ambitions for millions of athletes worldwide.
The Minister of Sport and president of the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee, HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal also spoke on the matter. He said that as the first-ever Esports Olympic Games, they still have a lot to consider and plan with the IOC.
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However, he assured that they are committed to hosting a special event that both celebrates and respects the Olympic values while also seizing the momentum to drive esports forward. He added that Saudi Arabia is a youthful nation that has more than 23 million gamers.
Prior to the announcement, the IOC had been looking into esports for several years until it decided to form a dedicated commission to find opportunities for it. Three years ago, the Olympic virtual series was developed as a pilot venture into esports, said ESPN.
Saudi Arabia's Global Image
Al Faisal also said that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has become a global hub for professional gamers and the Olympic Esports Games was a natural step for the region's young athletes.
The country launched an annual Esports World Cup last year, the first edition of which will be held in Riyadh from July 3, 2024, to Aug. 25, 2024.
Saudi Arabia has already invested large sums of financial resources into various sports, including soccer, Formula One, boxing, and golf. Many critics are accusing the country of engaging in sportswashing its human rights record.
The alleged rebranding efforts are crucial to the success of the country's Vision 2030 economic and social reform agenda. This was designed to prepare the world's largest crude exporter for a prosperous post-oil future.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also hosted its first ATP Tour event last year with the Next Gen Finals. The nation also hosted exhibition matches that pit Novak Djokovic against Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka against Ons Jabeur, according to Yahoo Sports.
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