Omar Abdulrahman, the region’s most famous footballer, has been confirmed as ambassador and front cover star for the Middle East edition of Pro Evolution Soccer 2016 (PES 2016), the latest edition of the hugely successful football game produced by Konami Digital Entertainment B.V.
Omar, who plays for Al Ain football Club in the UAE, will appear alongside global footballing icon Neymar Jr. when he becomes the first Arab player to grace a cover of one of the world’s most acclaimed video games, already an established favorite in the region.
The new edition of the game, featuring the historic cover, PES 2016will be released across Egypt, the GCC and Levant countries on Sept. 17, with a 20th anniversary edition also available.
Despite being just 24 years old, Omar has made headlines around the world over recent years with sparkling performances on the pitch helping to light up the 2012 London Olympics and 2015 AFC Asian Cup in particular.
He scored in the final as the UAE won the 2013 Gulf Cup of Nations, and was subsequently named player of the tournament, while in the same year he was listed byFIFA.com as one of the most promising future stars in Asia.
Omar Abdulrahman commented: “I have played Pro Evolution Soccer since I was a child. Growing up, I never imagined that I would be on the cover one day, so I am excited to be featured on it in this year’s edition and I can’t wait to see the game in action this September”.
PES 2016 aims to retain the title of ‘Best Sports Game’, which was bestowed on the previous edition at games shows and by major media outlets across the world last year, by continuing to lead the way in the recreation of ‘The Beautiful Game’. The series aims to go back to its roots to create an exciting match between users, and proudly present PES 2016 to deliver quality gameplay following ‘The Pitch is Ours’ mantra. From using the latest technological advances to bring the on-pitch action to life and being fully committed to centering the product around creating the best gameplay experience, to the full redevelopment of Master League, every facet of the game has been enhanced to deliver yet another outstanding product.
PES 2016 will also exclusively retain its use of the AFL Champions League club competition — this partnership allows KONAMI to feature both the AFL Champions League club competitions within its many options, with both featured as individual modes or within the larger season overview upon qualification including the iconic Master League mode.
Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are among the countries with teams featured in PES 2016.
Adam Bhatti, brand manager for PES added: “We couldn’t be happier with the addition of Omar Abdulrahman facing the front of PES 2016 for the Middle East region. Omar has been a massive success at the Al Ain football club and has a huge fan base across the region. Omar’s amazing skills on the pitch in real life inspire our gameplay design and emulate the PES 2016 experience, and we are confident will help to raise the game’s profile in the Middle East.”
Omar Abdulrahman becomes first Arab star to feature on front cover of Pro Evolution Soccer video game
Omar Abdulrahman becomes first Arab star to feature on front cover of Pro Evolution Soccer video game
PwC Middle East and Sirar by stc’s CISO500 program advances cyber leadership
The fifth edition of the CISO500 program ran from Feb. 8-12. Delivered in partnership between PwC Middle East and Sirar by stc, the program featured five intensive days of rich discussions and hands-on practical experiences, aimed at strengthening leadership capabilities in cybersecurity and keeping pace with rapid technological transformation.
The program is designed to develop the capabilities of executive cybersecurity leaders and enhance their strategic role in supporting organizations’ digital transformation. It equips participants to address contemporary challenges in the cyber landscape and expand their influence within decision-making ecosystems.
Yasser Al-Swailem, CEO of Sirar by stc, said that the program represents an important step toward strengthening the readiness of cyber leaders in the region. He noted that the CISO500 program is a fundamental pillar in the journey toward building a secure and trusted Saudi cyberspace aligned with national ambitions. He added that investing in national cybersecurity leadership is no longer optional but a strategic necessity for ensuring sustainable digital development. The program reflects a commitment to empowering national talent to lead the digital security landscape according to the highest global standards.
He further emphasized that such initiatives contribute to strengthening digital security ecosystems and enabling organizations to confidently and sustainably address future challenges.
Samer Omar, cybersecurity and digital trust leader at PwC Middle East, added: “CISO500 is a long-term investment in Saudi leadership. Over the past year, we’ve seen how bringing together senior Saudi cybersecurity professionals in a structured executive environment accelerates capability, builds confidence and deepens collaboration. As the program enters its second year, our focus remains on equipping Saudi CISOs with the strategic perspective and technical depth required to secure the Kingdom’s digital ambitions.”
The program addressed a range of advanced topics, including common cyber transformation pitfalls, mechanisms for securing enterprise digital transformation, and cybersecurity budgeting and financial governance. These topics enhanced leaders’ ability to translate cyber risks and security investments into financial indicators that support executive decision-making.
It also covered the latest technological developments, particularly artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, quantum computing, and the protection of critical and operational infrastructure. Emphasis was placed on the importance of security governance for AI technologies and strengthening enterprise-wide risk management perspectives associated with them.
The program adopted an interactive learning methodology combining strategic discussions, collaborative work, and creative practical exercises, contributing to a deeper understanding of concepts and enabling their translation into applicable organizational practices.
Abdullah Al-Asmari, global cybersecurity director at the Saudi Research and Media Group and one of the program participants, said that the experience added significant strategic and practical value: “The program provided a rich experience that strengthened the leadership perspective of cybersecurity, particularly in linking technical practices with strategic and financial dimensions within the organization. It also offered valuable space for exchanging expertise on emerging technologies such as AI and quantum computing, and the challenges of securing critical infrastructure. This experience enhances cyber leaders’ ability to adopt a more influential role in supporting digital transformation and enabling decision-making based on a comprehensive understanding of risk and value.”
He added that the program facilitated the exchange of insights on emerging challenges and strengthened the ability to align cybersecurity with institutional objectives and executive decision requirements.
Participants said that the program constituted a valuable professional and knowledge-driven experience that enhanced the readiness of cyber leaders to keep pace with rapid digital transformation, reinforcing cybersecurity’s role as a strategic enabler that supports innovation while preserving business trust, reliability, and sustainability.
