Riyadh Hosts Second Global Sport Conference: Uniting Esports And Sports Worlds

The second edition of the New Global Sport Conference 2024 (NGSC24) commenced on Saturday in Riyadh. The two-day event, themed "The Future of Fandom," aims to delve into the latest trends and strategies in sports and esports. It focuses on enhancing fan engagement and building passionate global communities.

On the first day, a session titled "Gaming and Sports as the Kingdom’s Gateway to the World" took place. This session was attended by notable figures including Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Esports Federation (SEF); Eng. Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology; Adwa Al-Arifi, Assistant Minister of Sports for Sports Affairs; Brian Ward, CEO of Savvy Games Group; Arnold Hur, CEO of Gen.G Esports; and Mike Milanov, Chairman of the Advisory Board for Gaming and Esports at Qiddiya city.

Another significant session titled "How Esports is Shaping the Next Chapter of Olympic History" explored the historic steps taken by gaming and esports to align with traditional sports. Participants included Ser Miang Ng, Vice President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC); David Lappartient, an IOC member, Chair of the IOC Esports Commission, and President of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI); Abdulaziz Baeshen, CEO and Secretary General of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SOPC); and Ralf Reichert, CEO at the Esports World Cup Foundation.

The conference also featured four other sessions with speakers from various sectors including esports, sports, technology, entertainment, business, investment, and more. These sessions highlighted how esports has evolved from a niche subculture into a global phenomenon. The discussions emphasized its positive impact on other industries such as strategic planning, investment, broadcasting rights, sponsorships, marketing, event management, among others.

With over 3.4 billion people engaging in gaming worldwide and approximately 234 million esports players globally, esports is no longer just a specialized hobby but a significant global phenomenon. This transformation is driving change across multiple traditional sectors.

Saudi Vision 2030

Under Saudi Vision 2030's umbrella, Saudi Arabia has become one of the first countries to implement a comprehensive national strategy for gaming and esports. This initiative reflects its commitment to leadership and innovation in this rapidly evolving industry. It underscores Saudi Arabia's ambitious vision to solidify its position at the forefront of global gaming and esports.

The activities at NGSC24 will continue on Sunday with six additional sessions focusing on various aspects of esports' influence beyond gaming. These sessions will explore how esports creates a ripple effect in other industries.

This conference highlights Saudi Arabia's dedication to enhancing its leadership on the world stage through strategic investments in gaming and esports under its Vision 2030 framework.

With inputs from SPA