Savvy Games Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Saudi Esports Federation, which will see both organizations work together to foster growth in the local esports scene.
Financial terms—if any exist between the two organizations because they are both connected to the Saudi Arabian government—were not disclosed.
Through this deal, Savvy Games Group and its subsidiaries will grow the Saudi Arabian esports ecosystem, develop training and awareness programs, explore employment opportunities within the gaming and esports sector, and launch other initiatives that align with the government’s Vision 2030 objectives. The deal also includes helping Saudi Esports Academy graduates looking to break into the industry.
Savvy Games Group describes the overall initiative as “investing in human capital.”
The Saudi Esports Federation and King Saud University Medical City (KSUMC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in January for a three-year initiative aimed at esports players in the region.
Saudi-based gaming and esports company Savvy Games Group is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund owned and operated by the Saudi Arabian government. Both the PIF and Savvy Games Group are chaired by Saudi Arabian HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud (commonly referred to as HRH Crown Prince MBS). Savvy Games Group owns ESL FACEIT Group, the home of tournament organizer ESL, tournament platform FACEIT, gaming and esports festival company DreamHack, and U.S and UK-focused tournament production firm Esports Engine.
The Saudi Esports Federation is led by HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, who is also the current president International Esports Federation and vice president of the Global Esports Federation.
Projects related to the Saudi Arabian government are frequently accused of helping the government engage in so-called “sports washing,” or using various forms of sport and entertainment to cover up its record on human rights, women’s rights, LGTBQ+ rights, military actions in Yemen, and more. These and other criticisms are actively highlighted by international watchdog groups such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.