Okaz/Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH – NEOM Company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Saudi Arabian Federation for Electronic and Intellectual Sports (SAFEIS).

The MoU aims to support NEOM’s goal to be the world capital for electronic sports and an international tourist destination. The signing took place in Riyadh, within the activities of the ceremony to launch the new tourist e-visa.

This agreement will initiate discussion of possible aspects of cooperation with the federation to support NEOM’s efforts to host the first electronic sports event in 2020 and make NEOM the permanent venue for these sports on the world map.

These mental and electronic sports rely directly on the mental capabilities. In the same way as is the case with physical sports, mental and electronic games develop and improve the performance of the human brain with continuous practice, irrespective of the person’s mental capabilities. It is also a solid ground for spotting the intellectuals (gifted, talented people) in societies.

Saudi Arabia has great potential in the field of electronic sports, as there is a keen interest in such sports among Saudi men and women. Furthermore, 21 percent of the youth in the Kingdom practice electronic sports weekly.

The Chairman of Saudi Arabian Federation for Electronic and Intellectual Sports (SAFEIS) Prince Faisal Bin Bandar Bin Sultan said: “NEOM has all the potentials to become the world capital for electronic sports and the federation is committed to be NEOM’s partner in its journey to achieve this goal. NEOM is the land of the future and the federation is the gateway to the future generation and sports.”

Meanwhile, Jean Patterson, director general of the sports sector in NEOM said: “We see electronic sports as an important part of what we will offer at NEOM. It reflects our ambition to make NEOM the preferred destination for living in and tourism for the youth, who form the majority of those who love electronic sports. We are happy to cooperate with the Saudi Federation to achieve our goals.”

NEOM is striving to become the most prominent destination in attracting investors and those who want to live in the region, by providing a sustainable environment with the highest standards of quality of life. NEOM aims to attract a million residents and 500,000 tourists by the year 2030.”