Gamers from around the world are rallying to join the fight against the coronavirus pandemic by battling it out in a $10 million (Dh36.7m) eSports tournament.
The seven-week event, dubbed Gamers Without Borders by Saudi, starts on Friday, April 24, and is open worldwide to gamers of all skill levels.
Six tournaments will be held each week on an amateur level. The best-performing amateurs will then get to compete with professionals players on an elite level. Tournaments will take place across 14 of the most popular video games, including Fortnite, Call of Duty, and Fifa.
Winners will pick one of the 12 listed charity groups to donate to, while sponsorship revenue generated during the event will also be contributed.
By the time the tournaments wraps up on Sunday, June 7, the $10m prize fund will be donated to charities fighting against the pandemic, including the World Health Organisation Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund.
Gamers Without Borders by Saudi was created by the Saudi Arabian Federation for Electronic and Intellectual Sports (Safeis) in partnership with Electronic Sports League (ESL), the world's largest eSports company. The event will be streamed live to watch.
The partnership with ESL will help provide a broadcast feed in eight different languages, including Arabic, English, Spanish and Mandarin for a global experience reaching worldwide. The broadcast will also include a fundraiser for viewers to directly donate to the charity of their choice from the 12 selected.
Saudi's response to the global pandemic
Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, president of Safeis, says the event is part of Saudi Arabia's response to the global health crisis, and that Gamers Without Borders is meant to instil a sense of global unity during these uncertain times.
"It's important that we welcome everyone to contribute to the fight against Covid-19. The mass participation side of the initiative offers an opportunity for a wider range of people to take part and also directly donate if they wish. Here we are additionally offering over $2m prize pool of value in kind giveaways to the winners and our visitors on the stream," he says.
With much of the world in lockdown, and many feeling helpless in response, eSports has never been more relevant, he says, adding that “now is the time for all gamers to join together and contribute to the cause.”
"It's an unprecedented phenomenon to have much of the world in lockdown and disconnected," says Prince Faisal. "That's why eSports is more important today than ever in connecting people and communities. And through Gamers Without Borders, we want to show the positive impact it can have beyond just entertainment."
The Saudi prince, who was appointed president of Safeis and the Arab eSports Federation in 2017, has organised a number of regional tournaments in the last two years.
In 2018, Prince Faisal managed the Saudi national team to victory after they won first place in the Tekken 7 tournament at the International eSports Federation World Championship in Taiwan.
“ESport is massive in the Middle East and in Saudi specifically. They compete in global competitions. We also know that in the region there are many hidden champions in eSports. Our goal is to give these hidden champions a chance to shine.”
Prince Faisal is also a gamer at heart. "I grew up playing Madden Football," he says, adding that he was known among friends as being an expert at the game. Nowadays, he enjoys games like Assassin's Creed, which he believes are more about good storytelling.
He also encourages UAE gamers to take part in the initiative, and says: "We'd love to see as many gamers in the UAE and all over the world join our initiative. Come watch the best, game with the world, and donate for the fight against Covid-19."
To register and find out more about Gamers Without Borders by Saudi, visit www.gamerswithoutborders.com
