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THE Global Esports Federation continues to make strides across the globe with their latest move being the establishment of the Afro-Arab Esports Cooperation Agreement with the Arab Esports Federation.
According to the federation’s website, GEF vice president Tommy Ganda Sithole and president of the GEF’s African Esports Development Federation (AEDF), and HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, who is also the president of the Arab Esports Federation (ARESF), signed the agreement at the Global Esports Tour in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The agreement forms part of the GEF’s #worldconnected initiative and will see the AEDF and the ARESF work together to develop tangible initiatives that support the Afro-Arab region, and as a catalyst for esports development, social benefit and change.
Sithole, a seasoned sports administrator and Zimpapers board chairman, was appointed president of the Africa Esports Development Federation last year.
The GEF approved establishment of continental Esports Development Federations to further strengthen its commitment to the sustainable development of esports around the world.
And the Afro-Arab Esports Cooperation Agreement will go a long way in promoting the growth of the sector in the region, complementing the already existing structures. Sithole and HRH Prince Faisal were quoted as saying: “With the rapid rise in the popularity of gaming and esports participation in the region and across the world, we are confident that this agreement will further broaden our horizons and act as an accelerator of the sector’s growth.”
GEF chief executive officer Paul J. Foster said the partnership enhances the federation’s commitment to its communities.
“The Global Esports Federation is committed to nurturing the growth and development of the esports community — enabling our #worldconnected community to thrive around the world.
“We are proud to see this partnership established, enhancing our commitment to our communities in the Afro-Arab region. It will also provide a framework for development and humanitarian support as part of our Global Social Impact Initiatives (GSII),” said Foster.
Meanwhile, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is all set to host the Global Esports Federation’s flagship esports event — the Global Esports Games — in the nation’s capital city, Riyadh, in December 2023.
At the recent Global Esports Tour in Riyadh, GEF’s professional esports tournament staged at the Boulevard Riyadh City during the eight-week Gamers8 festival, the GEF and Saudi Esports Federation signed the agreement establishing the Organising Committee and setting the pathway to the Riyadh 2023 Global Esports Games in December 2023.
“We are excited to host the Global Esports Games in Riyadh next year after successfully staging two editions of the Global Esports Tour. We are ready to welcome the world to Saudi Arabia and showcase our nation as a major esports powerhouse,” said HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, the President of the Saudi Esports Federation and Vice President of the Global Esports Federation.
The Organising Committee for Riyadh 2023 Global Esports Games was established to immediately commence planning for the Games. Ahmed Al-Bishri, Chief Operations Officer of Saudi Esports Federation, has been appointed as Chair of the Organising Committee. — Globalesports.org/Sports Reporter
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