RIYADH: The Saudi Esports Federation has announced a strategic partnership with Aramco to sponsor this year’s Gamers Without Borders and Gamers8: The Land of Heroes events, following the success of previous editions.
Gamers Without Borders, described by organizers as the world’s largest charitable esports event, returned for its fourth consecutive year on April 10 and continues for six weeks. The virtual event organized by the federation, serves as a qualifier for Gamers8: The Land of Heroes, which is said to be the biggest esports and gaming festival in world. It will run for eight weeks in Riyadh, beginning July 6.
The federation and Aramco said their new strategic partnership builds on the success of their collaborations during last year’s events. This year, Aramco will once again sponsor the Aramco Sim Arena, a high-end simulator zone in which racing enthusiasts will compete in community tournaments.
“There is much to build on from last year’s Gamers Without Borders and Gamers8 editions, as well as much to look forward to in 2023,” said Ahmed Al-Bishri, deputy CEO of the Saudi Esports Federation.
“With the extension of the partnership, the gaming community can expect new surprises through the creation of engaging, attractive content and experiences tailored to their needs. Aramco’s return as a strategic partner adds an extra layer of excellence to events that are highly anticipated around the world.”
Khalid Al-Zamil, Aramco’s acting vice president of public affairs, said the partnership with Gamers Without Borders and Gamers8 offers another opportunity to showcase Saudi Arabia’s growing esports industry and the huge enthusiasm for gaming across the country.
“Fans can be assured that the activations stemming from the partnership will once again push the boundaries of enriching, modern entertainment,” he added.
Gamers Without Borders offers a charity prize pool of $10 million that will go to good causes. This year’s event includes a first-of-its-kind, all-women Counter-Strike: Global Offensive tournament in which six teams will battle it out in a single elimination bracket from April 27 to 29 for a prize pool of $2.5 million.
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Aramco forms strategic partnership with Gamers Without Borders and Gamers8: The Land of Heroes
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Aramco forms strategic partnership with Gamers Without Borders and Gamers8: The Land of Heroes
- Gamers Without Borders, described as the world’s largest charitable esports event, began on April 10 and continues for 6 weeks, with a prize pool of $10 million for good causes
- Gamers8: The Land of Heroes, said to be the biggest esports and gaming festival in world, starts in Riyadh on July 6 and runs for 8 weeks
Medvedev to face Griekspoor in bid for second Dubai title
- Former world No. 1 Medvedev demolished top seed Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada in the semifinal
- Despite an injury, unseeded Dutchman Griekspoor beat 5th-seed Andrey Rublev in the other semifinal
DUBAI: Daniil Medvedev reached the Dubai Tennis Championships final on Friday and will face unseeded Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor as the Russian attempts to achieve something that has eluded him throughout his stellar career — winning the same tournament twice.
Former world number one Medvedev demolished top seed Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4 6-2 in an 83-minute semifinal, setting up a title clash that could see him claim a second Dubai crown to go with his 2023 triumph.
Medvedev, who has won 22 titles at 22 different tournaments, arrived in Dubai with a point to prove after early exits in Rotterdam and Doha.
However, the third seed has been in scintillating form in Dubai, dispatching Shang Juncheng, Stan Wawrinka, Jenson Brooksby and Auger-Aliassime — all in straight sets.
“It has been an amazing four matches, probably playing better and better each match, today being the best performance,” said Medvedev.
“If I can put in an even better performance tomorrow, I will have my chances to win and that is what I am going to try to do.”
Griekspoor battles injury to beat Rublev
Standing in his way will be Griekspoor, who continued his giant-killing run by beating fifth seed Andrey Rublev 7-5 7-6(6) in the other semifinal.
The Dutchman denied the 2022 champion, who also finished runner-up the following year, another shot at the Dubai trophy, saving two set points in the second-set tiebreak.
“No idea how I pulled off this one, I could barely walk at the end of the first set,” said Griekspoor, who took a medical timeout for treatment in the opening set.
“He served extremely well. I got very lucky in the tiebreak to win it in two sets ... I landed with a serve and felt something in my hamstring.
“If he had won the tiebreak, I don’t know if I would have continued.”
It marked three consecutive top-20 wins for Griekspoor for the first time in his career after he beat second seed Alexander Bublik and Jakub Mensik en route to the final.
Griekspoor, who has won three ATP 250 titles in his career, will be looking to add a first ATP 500 trophy to his collection when he faces Medvedev.
Former world number one Medvedev demolished top seed Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4 6-2 in an 83-minute semifinal, setting up a title clash that could see him claim a second Dubai crown to go with his 2023 triumph.
Medvedev, who has won 22 titles at 22 different tournaments, arrived in Dubai with a point to prove after early exits in Rotterdam and Doha.
However, the third seed has been in scintillating form in Dubai, dispatching Shang Juncheng, Stan Wawrinka, Jenson Brooksby and Auger-Aliassime — all in straight sets.
“It has been an amazing four matches, probably playing better and better each match, today being the best performance,” said Medvedev.
“If I can put in an even better performance tomorrow, I will have my chances to win and that is what I am going to try to do.”
Griekspoor battles injury to beat Rublev
Standing in his way will be Griekspoor, who continued his giant-killing run by beating fifth seed Andrey Rublev 7-5 7-6(6) in the other semifinal.
The Dutchman denied the 2022 champion, who also finished runner-up the following year, another shot at the Dubai trophy, saving two set points in the second-set tiebreak.
“No idea how I pulled off this one, I could barely walk at the end of the first set,” said Griekspoor, who took a medical timeout for treatment in the opening set.
“He served extremely well. I got very lucky in the tiebreak to win it in two sets ... I landed with a serve and felt something in my hamstring.
“If he had won the tiebreak, I don’t know if I would have continued.”
It marked three consecutive top-20 wins for Griekspoor for the first time in his career after he beat second seed Alexander Bublik and Jakub Mensik en route to the final.
Griekspoor, who has won three ATP 250 titles in his career, will be looking to add a first ATP 500 trophy to his collection when he faces Medvedev.
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