RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s EGZ was crowned champions in the main competition as American R&B star Jason Derulo ended the three-day Nexus gaming festival with a spectacular performance in Riyadh on Saturday.
The festival, an initiative of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority (GEA), was the first to be staged by Riot Games in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) as part of its strategy to promote electronic sports in the region.
Hundreds of people gathered at Riyadh Boulevard to witness the finals of the six competitions based on the League of Legends, and to enjoy a variety of activities and attractions.
EGZ won $400,000 as part of the total $2 million prize fund after defeating Nasr Esports in the main 5v5 Summoners Rift competition.
Coach Paul Ouani said that the festival was a great learning experience for his team and he hopes Riot Games can build on this success.
“Having the Nexus festival here is a great decision. There is enormous potential in e-sports, especially in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries. With many people watching online and live at venues, it will only get bigger,” he said
Other winners included Bassel (5v5 influencer final) and Abdulrahman Toxichill Bahmaid (1v1 champion).
As well as promoting gaming, the three-day festival also featured a music concert by US line-ups Mako and the Crystal Method, and a variety of entertainment.
Onur Tamer, METAI general manager of Riot Games, said: “As the first event on this scale for the region, it was a fantastic effort by the whole team. We have delivered something that the community has been expecting for a long time and it was great to see strong turnout during the three days.
“Attracting people of different ages is crucial in this region and we wanted to focus on three pillars — the gaming tournament, the festival area where the players would interact, and the musical experiences. We delivered that and everything was great, especially the cosplay, where a lot of people were interested.
“It is not just about gaming but going beyond that and opening League of Legends and e-sports to all people in this region,” he said.
“This event has shown that a lot of people have embraced the opportunity of visiting and learning more about League of Legends.”
Tamer said that future plans include an Arabic version of League of Legends.
“People want us to create a specific Arabic character, but it really depends on the creativity and bringing everything together to make it happen,” he said.
Saudi gamers lead the way at Nexus e-sports festival
Saudi gamers lead the way at Nexus e-sports festival
- The 3-day festival ended with a spectacular performance by R&B singer Jason Derulo
- The festival aims to promote electronic sports in the region
Saudi project clears 935 Houthi mines in Yemen
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam cleared 935 mines in Yemen in one week from May 4 to May 10, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
Overseen by the Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief, the project’s specialist teams destroyed 876 pieces of unexploded ordnance, 47 anti-tank mines, seven anti-personnel mines and five improvised explosive devices.
The explosives, planted by the Houthi militia across Yemen, posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.
The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale and Saada.
A total of 440,067 mines have been cleared since the start of the initiative in 2018, according to Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the project’s managing director.
The initiative trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices.
About 5 million people have been forced to flee their homes since the beginning of the conflict in Yemen, many of them displaced by the presence of land mines, according to the Project Masam website.
Masam teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads and schools to facilitate the safe movement of civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.
Saudi minister attends G20 judicial meeting in Brazil
RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Justice Dr. Walid Al-Samaani took part in the G20 Summit of Supreme Courts and Constitutional Courts in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from May 12-14.
Discussions focused on integrating technology, particularly AI, in justice systems, and exploring innovative technologies used by G20 courts, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
The summit discussed promoting citizenship and social inclusion, climate litigation and sustainable development, and digital transformation to enhance judicial efficiency.
Meanwhile, the Family Affairs Council delegation, led by its secretary-general, Dr. Maimoonah Al-Khalil, took part in the Women’s Empowerment Working Group meeting of the G20 in Brazil from May 14-15.
The first day’s session was titled “Equality, Economic Independence and the Care Economy,” while the second session focused on “Equality and Confronting Violence and Discrimination against Women.”
The meeting will conclude on the second day with the topic “Equality and Climate Justice.”
The Family Affairs Council represents Saudi Arabia in the G20, focusing on women’s empowerment.
The Women’s Empowerment Working Group, initiated under the Indian presidency in 2023, began its work under the Brazilian presidency this year.
Saudi Arabia continues Makkah Route Initiative
- Launched in 2017 as part of Vision 2030, Initiative involves dedicated team to receive travelers
- Includes special buses to transport pilgrims comfortably on journey through Makkah and Madinah
RIYADH: The Makkah Route Initiative, implemented by the Saudi Ministry of Interior, continues to streamline pilgrims’ journeys from international airports in their own countries, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The initiative, set up to facilitate the arrival of pilgrims in the Kingdom, involves close cooperation between the ministry and various partner agencies.
Launched in 2017 as part of Vision 2030, it involves a dedicated team to receive the travelers and includes special buses to transport them safely and comfortably on their journey through Makkah and Madinah.
Services include biometrics, Hajj visas and electronic luggage coding.
Saudi Arabia continues Makkah Route Initiative
RIYADH: The Makkah Route Initiative, implemented by the Saudi Ministry of Interior, continues to streamline pilgrims’ journeys from international airports in their own countries, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The initiative, set up to facilitate the arrival of pilgrims in the Kingdom, involves close cooperation between the ministry and various partner agencies.
Launched in 2017 as part of Vision 2030, it involves a dedicated team to receive the travelers and includes special buses to transport them safely and comfortably on their journey through Makkah and Madinah.
Services include biometrics, Hajj visas and electronic luggage coding.
18 health centers in Madinah to serve Hajj pilgrims
MADINAH: Madinah’s health department has prepared 18 hospitals and medical centers for this year’s Hajj.
The facilities have over 20,000 staff members, advanced medical equipment, laboratories, blood banks, vaccines, and emergency care services, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
