Saudi gamer prince announces esports World Cup

Saudi sports minister Prince Abdul Aziz bin Turki Al-Faisal with Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo and FIFA president Gianni Infantino during the announcement of the esports World Cup in Riyadh on Oct 23. — Saudi Sports Authority Media Office/Handout via Reuters

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia said on Oct 23 it would organise an esports World Cup starting next year, the latest boost to a sector Riyadh hopes will create tens of thousands of local jobs.

“The esports World Cup is the natural next step in Saudi Arabia’s journey to become the premier global hub for gaming and esports,” the Gulf kingdom’s de facto ruler, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, said in a statement.