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The Saudi Esports Federation and Thailand Esports Federation are proud to announce that the first Esports Invitational Event between the two countries will be held from the 28th to the 30th of April 2023 in Pattaya City Chonburi Province Thailand.
The event is part of a Memorandum of Understanding signed between Saudi Esports Federation and Thailand Esports Federation in September 2022 at The Next World Forum and Gamers 8 Festival held in Riyadh, last year. The MOU was signed to promote bilateral relations between both nations and explore future opportunities for collaboration and cooperation.
TESF president, Mr. Santilothong, stated, “We are delighted to host the Esports Invitational Event with Saudi Arabia.” The MOU between the two federations was an important step in fostering a relationship between our countries. This event marked a significant landmark in the growth and development of the Esports Industry not only in Thailand, but also in Saudi Arabia.
SEF President HRH Prince Faisal Bin Bandar Bin Sultan Al Saud said, “This match represents more than a friendly competition. It’s a chance to exchange cultures and develop our skills.” This match is a testimony to the rapid growth of the esports sector. This is also an opportunity to bring two different nations together and promote mutual understanding between their cultures, values and skills. Esports are a great way to bring people closer together and demonstrate how similar we all are.
This match will bring together players from Saudi Arabia, Thailand and the rest of the world to show what it is like to be part of a global society.”
The event is scheduled to take place between April 28 and 30, 2023 in Pattaya City. It will be a great opportunity for Thailand to grow its tourism industry and to attract international tourists. Pattaya City was chosen as co-host due to the large and vibrant gaming communities in the city. With the second highest number of gamers in Thailand as well as its potential to become the sports hub of the country, Pattaya City makes an excellent location for Esports.
Pattaya City mayor Mr. Poramet Ngamphichet stated, “Our city, Pattaya, aims to introduce and promote a new sport trend, esports, among youth, students and the general public. We hope that by embracing technology and its benefits we can stimulate the economies of Pattaya, Chonburi and the surrounding areas. This event is also an opportunity to strengthen relations between Saudi Arabia, Thailand and Pattaya. It will showcase the potential of Pattaya Tourism and create more opportunities for Saudi tourists.
Pattaya City, the host city of the first event of this series, is honored and proud to welcome the National Teams, as well as His Royal Highness Prince Faisal Bin Bandar Bin Sultan Al Saud of the Saudi royal family and the President of the Saudi Esports Federation, who will be leading the Saudi esports athlete to this friendly match.
The format will be a best of 9 matches for STREETFIGHTER V and best of 3 matches for DOTA 2. The friendly matches will take place in Central Pattaya Mall on April 30th 2023. The format for DOTA 2 will be best of three matches and best of nine matches. Before the friendly match begins, athletes will be able to warm up. The warm-up will be held on 28th and 29th of April, with a format consisting of best of nine matches for DOTA 2 and best of two matches for Street Fighter 5.
A panel discussion will also be held on site during the Opening Ceremony of the Saudi Esports Federation on 28th April, 2023. This panel will include representatives of both the National Esports Federation and Ms Rawan albutairi Senior Director for International Affairs. Our VIP panelists will include Mr. Samart Benjamin Assarasakorn Chief Executive Secretary of Thailand Esports Federation and Mr. BobanTotovski General Secretary of International Esports Federation.
Saudi Arabia will host the second leg of this Saudi Thai Esports Invitational Friendly Match. This event offers both countries a great opportunity to show off their Esports talent and establish themselves as major players in the global Esports market. Both Esports Governing Bodies in Saudi Arabia and Thailand are committed to promoting Esports, a competitive professional activity. They also want to strengthen the ties that exist between Saudi Arabian and Thai citizens. Both federations are confident that this event will have a significant impact on the Esports Industry. They look forward to future collaborations, beginning with the second leg Invitational Esports Friendly Match, which will be held later this year in Saudi Arabia.
Samart Benjamin Assarasakorn, Chief Executive Secretary of Thailand Esports Federation, concluded that “The Saudi Thai Esports Invitational Friendly Match represents a significant landmark for the growth of Esports in Asia. It is also the first step in fostering a collaboration between SEF, and TESF, as part of a Memorandum of Understanding signed at The Next World Forum in Riyadh, in 2022. This will cover not only tournaments like this one but education, knowledge exchange, technology I look forward to the show of sportsmanship and skills from both Saudi and Thai players in the friendly match. As well as the cultural exchanges and friendships that this event will bring about.
