Search form

You are here

  • Home
  • Elite local gaming talent honored at Saudi Esports Federation Awards  


Elite local gaming talent honored at Saudi Esports Federation Awards  

Saudi Esports Federation Awards honored the country's elite gaming talent across 22 categories. (Supplied)
Short Url

https://arab.news/5r8p8

Updated 16 January 2026
Arab News
Follow

Elite local gaming talent honored at Saudi Esports Federation Awards  

  • Ceremony in Riyadh celebrated the outstanding achievements of teams, individuals and rising stars in the Kingdom’s growing gaming industry
  • Winners announced across 22 categories, including Best Team, Best Rising Player, Best Roster, and Best Content Creator
Updated 16 January 2026
Arab News

RIYADH: The Saudi Esports Federation on Thursday night hosted the sixth edition of the SEF Awards presented by J Event, an annual awards ceremony celebrating the outstanding achievements of the Kingdom’s gaming ecosystem.

Held at SEF Arena at Boulevard Riyadh City, the SEF Awards featured a total of 22 categories, including three new categories for 2025. The glittering ceremony shone a spotlight on teams, individuals and emerging talent that have made the biggest impact on the gaming industry, both in Saudi Arabia and internationally.

Award categories for 2025 included Best Rising Player, Best Female Player, Best FPS Genre Player, Best Sports Genre Player, Best Battle Royale Player, Best Fighting Game Player, Best MOBA Genre Player, Best Club, Best Rising Club, Best Roster, Best Coach, Best Esports Media Coverage, Best Streamer, Best Rising Streamer, Best Content Creator, Best Rising Content Creator, Best Female Talent, Best Rising Talent, Best Analyst/Desk Host, Best Caster, Best Stage Host, and Best Rising Female Player. 

His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, chairman of the SEF, said: “Today, we celebrate the spirit of innovation and passion that defines the esports and gaming community. Over the past year, our youth have achieved remarkable milestones, showcasing their skills and further cementing the Kingdom’s presence on the global stage. This year, we honor excellence across 22 diverse categories, each reflecting stories of perseverance, determination and innovation. The federation remains committed to empowering this vibrant community, guided by ambitions without boundaries. Our sector’s future is bright, thanks to the unwavering support of our leadership.”

In a year where Saudi Arabia excelled on the global esports scene, the SEF Awards 2025 highlighted the achievements of numerous local teams and gamers. Twisted Minds were crowned Club Cross-Game Champions in the Saudi eLeagues, while Team Falcons reinforced their dominance by lifting the Esports World Cup 2025 trophy for the second year in a row. The Saudi National Team celebrated a remarkable year, winning gold in Rocket League and Tekken 8 at the 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games and marking Tala Al-Mazrou’s historic eFootball triumph at the 3rd Asian Youth Games, becoming the first Saudi female athlete to win gold at the Asian Games.

“The SEF Awards 2025 are a powerful reflection of the rapid maturity within our gaming ecosystem,” said Rawan Al-Butairi, CEO of the SEF. “As we mark the sixth edition, we are recognizing the professional standards and competitive excellence that now define Saudi Arabia’s esports landscape. This event stands as a key milestone in our National Gaming and Esports Strategy, showcasing our progress in transforming the Kingdom into the world’s premier global gaming hub. By empowering and celebrating our athletes and creators today, we are securing a sustainable legacy for the generations of tomorrow.”

As well as esports professionals and coaches, the SEF Awards look to recognize key contributors to the industry, including content creators, streamers, coaches and esports professionals whose efforts are an integral part of building an inclusive and dynamic esports ecosystem. This year’s edition of the awards was presented by J Event and sponsored by Golden Scent, NES, Nova, Richy and The Chefz.

The winners of the 22 categories at the 2025 SEF Awards are:

Best Rising Player Presented by J Event: Ziyad Al-Kathiri

Best Female Player Presented by The Chefz: Modhi Al-Kanhal

Best FPS Genre Player: Ahmed Al-Youbi

Best Sports Genre Player Presented by FIFAe: Yazeed Bakhashwin

Best Battle Royale Player Presented by NES: Abdulrahman Al-Fahad

Best Fighting Game Player: Raef Al-Turkistani

Best MOBA Genre Player: Moath Al-Quraini

Best Club Presented by Richy: Team Falcons

Best Rising Club Presented by Richy: Team Stallions

Best Roster Presented by J Event: Twisted Minds — Overwatch

Best Coach: Abdulrahman bin Fayez

Best Esports Media Coverage: Coverage Esports

Best Streamer Presented by J Event: Mofareh Al-Asiri

Best Rising Streamer Presented by The Chefz: Waleed Al-Shamali

Best Content Creator Presented by Golden Scent: Yusuf Hannawi

Best Rising Content Creator Presented by NES: Abdulaziz Al-Mohammadi

Best Female Talent Presented by Golden Scent: Ghala Al-Qahtani

Best Rising Talent: Zaid Al-Farag

Best Analyst/Desk Host: Mohammed Al-Enezi

Best Caster: Ali Darraj

Best Stage Host: Abdulaziz Al-Muhanna

Best Rising Female Player Presented by NES: Tala Al-Mazrou

Topics: esport Saudi Arabia Saudi Esports Federation (SEF)

Related

Sport
Saudi Esports Federation launches second edition of GCC competition
E-sport
Saudi Esports Federation, PUBG MOBILE unite to forge new era for Kingdom’s esports scene

Alcaraz, Sabalenka star as Australian Open second round begins

Updated 6 sec ago
AFP
Follow

Alcaraz, Sabalenka star as Australian Open second round begins

  • Sabalenka also has a point to prove after being upset by Madison Keys in last year’s final as the overwhelming favorite
Updated 6 sec ago
AFP

MELBOURNE: Top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka resume their quest for more Grand Slam glory on Wednesday, headlining the day four action at the Australian Open.
Three-time finalist Daniil Medvedev is also on a mission to safely negotiate the second round at Melbourne Park, as are third seeds Coco Gauff and Alexander Zverev.
Alcaraz started his bid for a career Grand Slam with a three-set defeat of home hope Adam Walton on Sunday and faces German Yannick Hanfmann.
He is the star attraction in the afternoon session on Rod Laver Arena, following Sabalenka onto the center court.
The Belarusian takes on China’s Bai Zhuoxuan in her bid for a third Australian Open title in four years after dropping just five games in her tournament opener.
Spanish superstar Alcaraz already has six major titles aged 22, but success on the Melbourne Park hardcourts remains a glaring hole in his resume.
He has not made it past the quarter-finals in four trips to Australia.
“I just really want to perform better than I did previous years,” he said.
“So I just feel this year probably it is one of those years that I will be able to, or will have the chance, to go further.”
Sabalenka also has a point to prove after being upset by Madison Keys in last year’s final as the overwhelming favorite.
After winning the lead-up Brisbane International, she was in ominous form in her first-round clash, coming to the net 22 times as she adds more serve and volley to her repertoire.
“I think it’s very important to always be working on your game, always developing as a player, always searching for something that is new, that is going to help your game,” she said.
The unpredictable Medvedev, runner-up in 2021, 2022 and 2024, is trying to keep his emotions in check this year and will again be put to the test against Frenchman Quentin Halys on John Cain Arena.
Gauff takes on Venus Williams’ conqueror Olga Danilovic of Serbia after a straight-sets first round win as she looks to better her best performance in Melbourne which was a semifinal in 2024.
Zverev is in action in an evening match on John Cain Arena against France’s Alexandre Muller, the latest challenge in the German’s decade-long quest for a first Grand Slam title.
The world number three, runner-up last year to Jannik Sinner, dropped a set in his opening clash but said it was good to be stretched early in the tournament.
“It’s a positive for sure,” he said.
“Because you have been tested and you know where you are and you know where your level is at, especially in difficult moments.”
Home hopes dominate the evening action on Rod Laver Arena with sixth seed Alex De Minaur facing Serbia’s Hamad Medjedovic before Priscilla Hon meets American Iva Jovic.

Topics: 2026 Australian Open Australian Open Aryna Sabalenka

Related

Sport
Coco Gauff advances to second round at Australian Open despite serving struggles
Sport
Tennis world number ones Sabalenka, Alcaraz begin Australian Open campaigns

Latest updates

Alcaraz, Sabalenka star as Australian Open second round begins
Mbappe, Vinicius help Real Madrid thrash Monaco in Champions League
Saudi foreign minister and Palestinian prime minister discuss Gaza in Davos
Nigerian police deny church attacks as residents insist 168 people are held by armed groups
Floods kill four as Tunisia sees heaviest rain in decades

Search form

Print Edition
Read pdf version Subscribe now
© 2026 SAUDI RESEARCH & PUBLISHING COMPANY, All Rights Reserved And subject to Terms of Use Agreement.