The league aims to enhance competition in esports across countries while also bringing people together across cultures and borders.
The Afro-Arab Esports League has been inaugurated in Riyadh, encompassing 25 member nations hailing from the African and Arab regions.
The league’s primary goal is to elevate the competitive landscape of esports across its member nations. It harnesses the vibrant essence of esports and the unifying potential of gaming to bridge people across borders, cultures, and backgrounds.
Initial tournaments of the Afro-Arab Esports League unfolded in Riyadh this weekend at the world-renowned Gamers8: The Land of Heroes, the global gaming and esports festival. Within Boulevard Riyadh City at Gamers8, the Challenge Zone will host tournaments in eFootball and Valorant, featuring distinct male and female competitions.
The league has been launched to enhance the competitive level of esports across member nations, while utilising esports’ dynamic spirit and the power of gaming to unite people across borders, cultures, and backgrounds.
The 25 nations that collectively constitute the Afro-Arab Esports League are Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kuwait, UAE, Tunisia, Senegal, Kenya, Ghana, Morocco, Bahrain, Oman, Cameroon, Mali, Somalia, Libya, Syria, Iraq, Burkina Faso, Jordan, Lebanon, Ivory Coast, Djibouti, South Africa, Namibia, and Nigeria.
Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation, and Chairman of the Arab Esports Federation, said: “The Afro-Arab Esports League is a testament to the growing importance of esports in both the African and Arab worlds and a key way to create space for cultural exchange and cooperation among the 25 participating countries. Together, we herald a future where unity knows no bounds, where the thrill of competition unites us, and where the passion for gaming brings nations together.”
Dr Ashraf Sobhi, Egyptian Minister of Youth and Sports, said: “We thank HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan for his support in setting up the Afro-Arab Esports League and the inaugural tournaments here in Riyadh. The importance and development opportunities from gathering African and Arab youths together for competitions can’t be overstated.”
Future tournaments will be announced in due course.
Organised by the Saudi Esports Federation, eight-week long Gamers8: The Land of Heroes has a prize pool of $45m – triple that of Gamers8 last year. The gaming and esports festival worldwide features 16 elite esports tournaments from 13 top titles, as well as community gaming and educational platforms. These are complemented by live concerts from top global, regional, and local artists, as well as numerous fun-filled activities and attractions for the whole family.
The festival concludes with the Next World Forum, a gaming and esports forum held at the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre on August 30-31, which brings together sector leaders and experts from around the world.
