- Given 抖阴短视频鈥檚 large youth population, itis believed that pumping more money into this sector could give a boost to both young people and the national economy
- An eSports federation 鈥� known formally as the 抖阴短视频n Federation for Electronic and Intellectual Sports 鈥� was launched last year
RIYADH: Greater investment in eSports would boost the Saudi economy and help young gamers better compete in the global 鈥� if virtual 鈥� arena, one of the Kingdom鈥檚 top sporting officials has said.
Princess Reema bint Bandar, of the General Sport Authority, told the Future Investment Initiative that the Saudi gaming sector is 鈥渞ipe for investment鈥� 鈥� and that extra funds could help take it to the next level.
An eSports federation 鈥� known formally as the 抖阴短视频n Federation for Electronic and Intellectual Sports 鈥� was launched last year.
Given 抖阴短视频鈥檚 large youth population, pumping more money into this sector 鈥� by, for instance, opening a gaming college or running gaming tournaments 鈥� could give a boost to both young people and the national economy, Princess Reema said.
鈥淲e truly believe that this is a sector that we can develop and grow, and is ripe for investment,鈥� she said.
Princess Reema pointed to South Korea as a country with a healthy eSport industry.
鈥淚n South Korea, the gaming industry is probably around a $4 billion addition to the GDP 鈥� imagine if we were able
to do that here in 抖阴短视频?鈥� she said.
鈥淲hat does that look like? That looks like a gaming college or a university, that looks like gaming-training programs; investments in infrastructure and buildings that allow for these young people to not only participate in the game, but also educate others to be physically active.鈥�
The official acknowledged that some people would need to be convinced that video gaming was actually a sport 鈥� adding that she encourages eSports to be recognized by the Olympics.
But Princess Reema said that another factor was that young people could be encouraged to do more physical activity 鈥� because it can help them 鈥渦p their gaming level鈥� in the virtual field.
In August, Saudi teenager Mosaad Aldossary picked up a $250,000 prize when he won the global FIFA eWorld Cup Grand Final.
More than 20 million gamers vied for a spot in the annual eWorld Cup, with just 32 making it to the finals. Competitors play the FIFA 18 football video game.