Al-Ahsa governor, Saudi Esports Federation chief discuss sector growth

Al-Ahsa Governor Saud bin Talal bin Badr received Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation, and the federation’s CEO, Rawaan Al-Bateeri, at his office on October 19, 2026 (8 Jumada Al-Awwal 1448 AH).

The meeting reviewed opportunities to develop the esports sector in Al-Ahsa, discussing proposed initiatives and programs to advance the sector and boost its appeal among young people. They also explored ways to identify promising talent, nurture their skills, and expand participation in specialized competitions and events, aiming to enhance the sector’s sporting and social impact while supporting innovation and technical skill development among youth.

The governor said esports is a promising field at the intersection of sports, technology, and innovation, offering unique opportunities to develop young people’s abilities and refine their talents. He highlighted the strong support the sector receives from the Kingdom’s leadership and the rapid growth and development that reinforce its role as a future-focused industry aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 goals.

The governor also noted Al-Ahsa’s youthful population and promising potential, positioning it to contribute to the sector’s growth. He stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation with the Saudi Esports Federation to expand opportunities for discovering and training national talent, attract specialized initiatives and events, and enable youth to develop their skills, compete, and raise Al-Ahsa’s profile in the esports scene.

For his part, the Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation thanked the governor for his interest in developing the sector. He emphasized the importance of intensifying efforts to advance esports in Al-Ahsa, broaden its player base, and support national talent, contributing to the sector’s growth and enhancing the Kingdom’s presence regionally and internationally.