New Global Sports Conference Marks A Turning Point For Esports, Says Prince Faisal

Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation (SEF), highlighted the significance of the New Global Sports Conference as a pivotal step towards a promising future for games and esports. He shared his thoughts during his speech on the second day of the conference, which concluded yesterday in Riyadh. The event attracted over 60 international speakers and more than 1,200 entrepreneurs and experts, including over 200 prominent global chief executives from various sectors.

"Saudi Arabia's dedication to the gaming and esports sector is now evident to the entire world," stated Prince Faisal bin Bandar. "The support from HRH the Crown Prince drives us to continue developing and innovating, aiming to make the Kingdom a hub for gaming and global events." His remarks underscored the nation's growing influence in this industry.

The conference's second day included six panel discussions. These panels explored esports' positive impact on other industries, its evolution from a niche subculture to a global phenomenon, and its integration with traditional sports. This integration aims to offer fans an unparalleled entertainment product while fostering economic growth and community cohesion.

One session delved into how audiences form long-term attachments to games, making them part of their culture. Another session examined how gaming intersects with art, fashion, filmmaking, and creativity. These discussions highlighted esports' broad cultural impact beyond just entertainment.

A special session at the conference focused on chess as an ancient competitive sport. Esports World Cup Foundation chief executive Ralf Reichert and world chess champion Magnus Carlsen shared their insights in a session titled "Chess, Esports: Strategy Redefined Together: From the Chessboard to the Digital Arena."

Chess in the Digital Arena

"The essence of the Esports World Cup is gaming," said Reichert. "When you set rules and format competitions, you create winners and losers – similar to traditional sports like chess." Carlsen added that chess has evolved significantly to become more digital, incorporating many esports elements.

Carlsen noted that playing chess online already integrates it into the esports arena but emphasized the need for a different environment with a larger audience and better offerings. "I think the game in the Esports arena is an exciting opportunity," he said.

The conference also featured discussions on how esports can stimulate economic growth by bringing communities closer together. This aspect was particularly emphasized during sessions that explored how traditional sports can merge with esports to create new entertainment products for fans.

The event's success demonstrated Saudi Arabia's growing role in shaping the future of gaming and esports globally. The participation of numerous international experts underscored this point, highlighting Riyadh's potential as a central hub for these industries.

The New Global Sports Conference marked an essential milestone for Saudi Arabia's ambitions in gaming and esports. It showcased how these sectors could drive innovation and economic growth while fostering cultural integration across various domains.

With inputs from SPA