FaceOf: Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, head of KSA's Federation for Electronics and Intellectual Sports

Updated 26 April 2018
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FaceOf: Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, head of KSA's Federation for Electronics and Intellectual Sports

  • Prince Faisal spent much of his early years in the US
  • Prince Faisal praised the talent and skill in Saudi Arabia, from gamers to graphic designers and coders

JEDDAH: Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan is the president of the Saudi Arabian Federation for Electronics and Intellectual Sports (SAFEIS), tasked with creating a world-class, first-of-its-kind public and private eSports federation, culture and infrastructure in the Kingdom.

As the son of the former Saudi Arabian ambassador to the US, Prince Faisal spent much of his early years in the US where he graduated from Baylor University, Waco, Texas in 2003 with a BA in telecommunications.

In 2005, Prince Faisal returned full time to Saudi Arabia and took a lead role in managing his family’s private-sector business affairs. Later in 2012, with the environment close to his heart, Prince Faisal founded Saker Al Jazirah (SAJ), a Saudi Arabian company focused on recycling, waste management and environmental services within the Kingdom.

Currently leading the charge in the rise of eSports in the Kingdom, SAFEIS and Global eSport Resources pledged their commitment to the growth of the eSports community and industry in the Kingdom. 

Last March, 6,000 citizens and residents of the GCC countries participated in — and 64 finalists qualified for — Tuesday’s inaugural GSA FIFA 18 eWorld Cup at the Bay X conference center at King Abdullah Economic City, where gamers will compete for a total prize of SR1 million ($266,667).

Prince Faisal heralded Tuesday’s inaugural event as a platform where players could shine while stimulating the job market within the community. 

He praised the talent and skill in Saudi Arabia, from gamers to graphic designers and coders.


8 NGOs join Saudi Arabia’s national vegetation drive

Updated 26 January 2026
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8 NGOs join Saudi Arabia’s national vegetation drive

  • The center continues to promote collaboration across sectors to expand environmental awareness and advance sustainability goals through knowledge exchange

RIYADH: The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification has signed memoranda of understanding with several nonprofit environmental associations to strengthen partnerships with the nonprofit sector in advancing national goals for environmental sustainability.

The MoUs were signed with eight associations: Al-Nakaa Association, Lavender Society, Darb Hiking Trails and Walking Trips Association, Hail Agriculture Development Association, Yanbu Environmental Association, Rifaq Environment Association (Hail), Aghsan Environmental Association, and Pristine Future Environment Association.

The center said cooperation with the nonprofit sector enhances volunteer and community initiatives and maximizes environmental and social impact across the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

The agreements are part of a broader cooperation framework covering afforestation and land rehabilitation projects, nature-based tourism support, expertise exchange, capacity building through training, and community environmental awareness.

The center continues to promote collaboration across sectors to expand environmental awareness and advance sustainability goals through knowledge exchange, coordinated community efforts, joint outreach programs, and initiatives supporting national environmental objectives.