RIYADH, JULY 12 :  Saudi Arabia will host the first-ever Olympic Esports Games in 2025, the International Olympic Committee said on Friday.

“The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today announced that it has partnered with the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Saudi Arabia to host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games 2025 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” it said in a statement.
The proposal is set to be presented at the IOC session on the eve of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. It suggests a 12-year partnership between the IOC and the Saudi NOC, which will allow for the Olympic Esports Games to be held regularly
“The IOC has already emphasised that International Federations already engaged in an e-version of their sport that is considered for inclusion in the Olympic Esports Games will be the IOC’s first go-to partners,” the international Olympic governing body said

This also applies to national Olympic committees that have already added eSports to their programmes.
The Saudi sports minister and president of the NOC, Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Saud, welcomed the announcement, saying the Saudi committee was excited for the opportunity to plan the event.

“We are excited to partner with the IOC and plan together the first-ever Olympic Esports Games. A bright new era begins. This is another huge addition to our lineup of major sporting events,” he said on social media.

Russia hosted the inaugural Games of the Future in February and March, featuring hybrid disciplines that combine traditional sports with esports or VR/AR technology. The second Games will take place in the United Arab Emirates in 2025.(UNI)