The duration of the partnership between the IOC and the Saudi NOC will be 12 years, with Olympic Esports Games held regularly.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe are very fortunate to be able to work with the Saudi NOC on the Olympic Esports Games, because it has great -\u2013 if not unique -\u2013 expertise in the field of esports with all its stakeholders. The Olympic Esports Games will greatly benefit from this experience,\u201d said IOC President Thomas Bach.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBy partnering with the Saudi NOC we have also ensured that the Olympic values are respected, in particular, with regard to the game titles on the programme, the promotion of gender equality, and engagement with the young audience, which is embracing esports,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee, said \u201cSaudi Arabia is hugely excited by the prospect of partnering with the IOC and helping to welcome a completely new era for international sport.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"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,\" he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cAs a \u2018first\u2019 ever Esports Olympic Games, obviously there is still much to consider and plan with the IOC, but we are committed to hosting a special event that respects and celebrates the Olympic values while boldly seizing the momentum to drive esports forward with the international platform the sport and its athletes deserve. The world will have an open invitation to join us in 2025 and celebrate this moment together,\u201c the Saudi minister added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The partnership comes at a time of significant growth of sport overall in Saudi Arabia and is driven by the country\u2019s social and economic transformation under Vision 2030.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Since 2018, the Kingdom has been entrusted with delivering some of the biggest global sports events, staging over 100 international events for both male and female athletes, including esports, football, motorsports, tennis, equestrian, and golf, attracting over 2.6 million sports fans.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
As a result, sport has become a growing part of everyday life in Saudi Arabia at every level, from amateur to elite. Overall sports participation levels have more than tripled since 2015 to almost 50 percent of the country\u2019s population.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The number of sports federations has also increased threefold during this time, from 32 to 98, with the Saudi Esports Federation being one example of the growth underway. As many as 67 percent of the Saudi population consider themselves to be gamers, with an ever-increasing number, currently 100, of pro esports players pursuing full-time careers.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Women\u2019s sport in particular has witnessed rapid growth, and almost half of the Kingdom\u2019s 23 million gamers are female. There are now also over 330,000 registered female athletes and nearly 40 women\u2019s national teams competing internationally. Grassroots sport is flourishing, too, with sport firmly part of the school curriculum for all girls, as demonstrated by the 70,000 schoolgirls playing in the school football league each week.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In addition to playing sports, reforms to regulations ensure there is female representation on the boards of all sports federations, with over 100 women now appointed, including seven female federation presidents. Additionally, all female and male athletes receive the same level of pay when on national duty in their sport.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWitnessing the growing trends of female participation in esports is very exciting. I had the honour of working towards women\u2019s empowerment in sport and in society as a whole under Vision 2030, and the leadership of HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, and Prime Minister, and I\u2019ve witnessed firsthand the tremendous positive impact of sport for women and girls.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"I look forward to the Olympic Esports Games as an opportunity for more female participation from across the globe in a safe and inclusive space,\u201d said Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud, an IOC Member, member of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and President of the Women\u2019s Committee<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe Women\u2019s Committee under the leadership of IOC Member Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud was essential in advancing women\u2019s sport in Saudi Arabia. They worked closely with the NOC of Saudi Arabia to achieve this progress. Having their support to advance female participation also in esports is a valuable commitment. We are looking forward to our cooperation,\u201d said IOC President Thomas Bach.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Following Friday\u2019s announcement, and the decision that will be taken by the IOC Session, work will begin on selecting a city and venue for the inaugural edition of the Olympic Esports Games, the specific timing of the event, the titles to be included, the qualification process for the players and further details.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe Women\u2019s Committee under the leadership of IOC Member Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud was essential in advancing women\u2019s sport in Saudi Arabia. They worked closely with the NOC of Saudi Arabia to achieve this progress. Having their support to advance female participation also in esports is a valuable commitment. We are looking forward to our cooperation,\u201d said IOC President Thomas Bach.<\/p>\r\n\r\n