In a landmark agreement, Saudi Arabia has been selected to host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games in partnership with the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

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Originally slated to take place this year, this exciting collaboration will now see the Kingdom play a pivotal role in shaping the future of esports on the global stage through this inaugural

The partnership will see the organisation of regular Olympic Esports Games over the next 12 years, providing a platform for athletes from around the world to compete in a variety of esports titles. "We are very fortunate to be able to work with the Saudi NOC on the Olympic Esports Games, because it has great – if not unique – expertise in the field of esports with all its stakeholders," said IOC President Thomas Bach. "The Olympic Esports Games will greatly benefit from this experience."

HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating: "Saudi Arabia is hugely excited by the prospect of partnering with the IOC and helping to welcome a completely new era for international sport. We believe that to take part in the Olympic Games is one of the greatest honours any athlete can achieve. And we are proud to support the writing of a new chapter in Olympic history that has the potential to inspire new dreams and new ambitions for literally millions of athletes around the world."

Esports via unsplash ella-don

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The partnership comes at a time of significant growth for sport in Saudi Arabia, driven by the ambitious Vision 2030 initiative. The Kingdom has witnessed a remarkable rise in sports participation, with over 50% of the population now actively engaged in sports. This growth is reflected in the country's successful hosting of major international sporting events, including esports tournaments, football matches, and motorsports competitions.

The inaugural edition of the Olympic Esports Games will be held in Saudi Arabia, with the specific city and dates to be announced at a later stage. The IOC will now work closely with the Saudi NOC to determine the specific esports titles to be included, the qualification process for athletes, and the overall framework for these Games.

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