海角直播

SEF arena inauguration heralds exciting new era for Saudi esports

The Saudi Esports Federation center in Boulevard World, Riyadh, is a state-of-the-art complex designed to revolutionize gaming and esports in the Kingdom. (AN Photo/Loai Elkelawy)
The Saudi Esports Federation center in Boulevard World, Riyadh, is a state-of-the-art complex designed to revolutionize gaming and esports in the Kingdom. (AN Photo/Loai Elkelawy)
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Updated 12 April 2025

SEF arena inauguration heralds exciting new era for Saudi esports

SEF arena inauguration heralds exciting new era for Saudi esports
  • The state-of-the-art facility includes event halls, venues, the SEF Academy, workspaces and more

RIYADH: Esports in 海角直播 is set for an exciting new era following the official opening of the new SEF Arena.

The Saudi Esports Federation center in Boulevard World, Riyadh, is a state-of-the-art complex designed to revolutionize gaming and esports in the Kingdom.

Spanning 25,000 sq. meters, it boasts dedicated esports venues, event halls, the SEF Academy, SEF Studio and collaborative workspaces and is purpose-built to support every phase of a player鈥檚 journey from grassroots level to the international stage.

The inauguration is a landmark achievement in 海角直播鈥檚 journey to becoming the global capital for competitive gaming, in line with the ambitions of Vision 2030 and the Kingdom鈥檚 accelerating digital economy.

Turki Al-Fawzan, CEO of SEF,听told Arab News that with the Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman鈥檚 vision in esports, the federation was capable to thrive.听

鈥淭his isn鈥檛 just a venue; it鈥檚 the beating heart of an ecosystem. It鈥檚 where ambition meets opportunity, and where champions are made. We want 海角直播 to be known as the 鈥楲and of Champions,鈥 a winning nation where talent is discovered, nurtured, and elevated to the world stage,鈥 he said.

鈥淲e are lucky to have a sector strategy on a national level..with that strategy, it鈥檚 very ambitious and we have an infrastructure which enables us to achieve all these strategies鈥 compare it always with Silicon Valley for gamers鈥

At the heart of SEF鈥檚 vision is the gamer鈥檚 journey. Starting with the SEF鈥檚 School League, players can progress through a structured system that includes the SEF Academy, high-performance coaching, training, and mentorship, taking them from casual player to full-time professional.

Al-Fawzan added: 鈥淔rom watching Twitch streams at home to competing in the Saudi eLeagues and ultimately representing the Kingdom on the global stage, this is the structured journey we鈥檝e built for our youth. It all starts right here, at the SEF Arena.鈥

The arena is also home to the Saudi eLeagues, where more than 2,800 active players compete across tournaments including the Saudi eLeague Elites, Saudi Women League, Saudi Fighting League and Saudi Challenger League, making it a year-round venue.

To support its mission of developing local talent, the SEF has signed groundbreaking Memoranda of Understanding with 海角直播鈥檚 largest esports clubs and stakeholders 鈥 Team Falcons, Twisted Minds, R8, and The Ultimates, as well as Savvy.

These will help expand opportunities for Saudi players, creators and organizations across both local and global circuits, while also facilitating knowledge exchange and driving industry innovation.

Delivering a comprehensive and high-performance environment, the SEF Arena will deliver a comprehensive, high-performance environment, providing players, teams and publishers with the tools and infrastructure they need to thrive. With world-class training, live broadcasting capabilities, and immersive fan experiences, it sets a new standard for esports development.

Al-Fawzan said: 鈥淲e are laying the foundation for the future of esports in 海角直播. This is our legacy, our promise to the next generation of champions. Let鈥檚 make history, together.鈥

The opening comes three months before the start of the second Esports World Cup in Riyadh.

Musaad Aldossary, co-founder and chairman at Falcons Esports, said the SEF Arena鈥檚 facilities will help all esports players flourish in the game.听

鈥淭he experience that the players play in high level facilities and infrastructure will help them match in any global facility鈥or us it鈥檚 always helpful whenever there鈥檚 multiple tournaments, multiple teams, and multiple players because then we will have options and the best players will hopefully land in Falcons.鈥澨

Rawan Albutairi, chief of partnerships and corporate affairs at Saudi Esports Federation, highlighted the impact of women in esports, which make up almost 49 percent听of youth gamers.听

鈥淲e want to convert that percentage into real elite players and again鈥 Availing platform for women to really put a footprints and really excel is something that is very important. I think the future is bright with everything happening in Saudi and the Esports federation, it鈥檚 absolutely instrumental to lead the way and leapfrog not just locally, but also internationally.鈥澨

Albutairi said there are many opportunities for women in the esports industry.

鈥淭he whole ecosystem (has) professions such as being a commentator, moderator, and 听just really exploring the opportunities in the ecosystem is something that can be available and will be available here at the SEF Arena.鈥


La Liga players plan to protest league decision to stage a game in Miami

La Liga players plan to protest league decision to stage a game in Miami
Updated 17 October 2025

La Liga players plan to protest league decision to stage a game in Miami

La Liga players plan to protest league decision to stage a game in Miami
  • Players plan to pause for 15 seconds after kickoff in games in the ninth round held from Friday through Monday
  • The union said the captains of the 20 top-flight sides were in agreement with the protest

BARCELONA: La Liga players will protest this weekend the league鈥檚 decision to hold a regular season game in Miami, the Spanish soccer players鈥 union said on Friday.
Players plan to pause for 15 seconds after kickoff in games in the ninth round held from Friday through Monday, Spanish media reported.
The players鈥 union said in a statement that the 鈥減layers will protest in a symbolic fashion to denounce the lack of transparency, dialogue and coherence of La Liga regarding the possibility of playing a game in the United States.鈥
La Liga made official last week its plans to hold the Barcelona-Villarreal game in Miami on Dec. 20.
The union said the captains of the 20 top-flight sides were in agreement with the protest. But the union added it had not asked the Barcelona and Villarreal players to participate in the protest, even though, the union said 鈥渢hey share the basic premise of the protest.鈥
The ninth round kicked off on Friday with Oviedo hosting Espanyol.
Barcelona players and coach not happy
Earlier Friday, Barcelona coach Hansi Flick, and his players were not pleased at having to travel 7,200 kilometers (4,500 miles) to play a regular season game.
鈥淢y players are not happy, I am not happy, but La Liga decided that we will play this game,鈥 Flick said at a press conference in reply to a question about his position on the game.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has defended the move by saying it represents an opportunity to further push into the American sports market.
But for Flick and his players, it represents added travel before a short winter break. Barcelona will also travel to 海角直播 for the Spanish Super Cup starting on Jan. 7.
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong also criticized playing the game in the US, saying players were already overloaded with travel and a packed playing calendar.
Like Barcelona, Villarreal was also playing in the Champions League.
La Liga president Javier Tebas has defended the game abroad as a key to boosting 鈥渞evenues in the mid- to long-term鈥 and increasing the value of his competition鈥檚 television rights, which lag behind those of England鈥檚 Premier League.
Tebas said the league plans to make an international match an annual event.
The match will be at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, home of the NFL鈥檚 Miami Dolphins.
The league has chartered planes to take to Florida what it estimates will be 2,000 to 3,000 fans from Villarreal, which is the home team.


Milan confirm Pulisic hamstring injury on US duty

Milan confirm Pulisic hamstring injury on US duty
Updated 17 October 2025

Milan confirm Pulisic hamstring injury on US duty

Milan confirm Pulisic hamstring injury on US duty
  • 鈥淎n MRI scan performed today revealed a low-grade tear in his right hamstring,鈥 Milan said
  • Pulisic 鈥渨ill be reevaluated in approximately 10 days鈥

MILAN: Christian Pulisic was confirmed by AC Milan on Friday to have injured his right hamstring while playing in a friendly for the United States this week.
鈥淎n MRI scan performed today revealed a low-grade tear in his right hamstring,鈥 Milan said, adding Pulisic 鈥渨ill be reevaluated in approximately 10 days.鈥
Injuries like that can heal in as few as three weeks and a city derby against Inter Milan on Nov. 23 is one target for Pulisic鈥檚 return. He has starred this season for Milan which are third in Serie A.
Pulisic seemed to overstretch his right leg when tackled in the first half of a 2-1 win Tuesday against Australia at the Colorado Rapids鈥 stadium.
The US have friendlies scheduled for Nov. 15 and 18 against Paraguay and Uruguay which, like Australia, have both qualified for the first 48-team World Cup.
The US will co-host the tournament with Canada and Mexico.
The US team鈥檚 next competitive game is their World Cup opener on June 12 at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles. The draw is Dec. 5 in Washington, D.C.


Jenni Hermoso recalled by new Spain women鈥檚 coach for Nations League semifinals

Jenni Hermoso recalled by new Spain women鈥檚 coach for Nations League semifinals
Updated 17 October 2025

Jenni Hermoso recalled by new Spain women鈥檚 coach for Nations League semifinals

Jenni Hermoso recalled by new Spain women鈥檚 coach for Nations League semifinals
  • The forward for Mexican club Tigres has not played for Spain in a year
  • New Spain coach Sonia Berm煤dez recalled the 35-year-old Hermoso to her squad on Friday

MADRID: Spain鈥檚 all-time top scorer Jenni Hermoso will return to the national team after being included in the first squad named by their new coach.
Hermoso made global headlines when she denounced being kissed against her wishes by the former president of Spain鈥檚 soccer federation during the awards ceremony of the 2023 Women鈥檚 World Cup final in Sydney, Australia.
The forward for Mexican club Tigres has not played for Spain in a year and was dropped from the team ahead of the 2024 European Championship, when the world champions finished runners-up.
New Spain coach Sonia Berm煤dez recalled the 35-year-old Hermoso to her squad on Friday. Berm煤dez replaced former coach Montse Tom茅, whose contract was not renewed by the federation after the Euros in August.
The kiss by former boss Luis Rubiales led to calls for a national reckoning over sexism in sport and to his conviction for sexual assault in February.
Berm煤dez also recalled Barcelona central defender Mapi Le贸n, who has not played for Spain since she was part of a player revolt against then former coach Jorge Vilda in September 2022.
Vilda kept his job through the 2023 Women鈥檚 World Cup but was fired shortly afterward when he backed Rubiales. Tom茅, his assistant, took his place.
Berm煤dez will debut as Spain鈥檚 coach in the Women鈥檚 Nations League semifinals against Sweden on Oct. 24. The second leg will be in Sweden four days later. Germany and France meet in the other semifinal.


Cape Verde erupts in celebration after first World Cup qualification

Cape Verde erupts in celebration after first World Cup qualification
Updated 17 October 2025

Cape Verde erupts in celebration after first World Cup qualification

Cape Verde erupts in celebration after first World Cup qualification
  • In the street, people danced to the sound of reggae tunes and local funana music.
  • Congratulating Cape Verde on their 鈥渉istoric moment,鈥 FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the achievement was likely to 鈥減ower a new generation of football lovers鈥

PRAIA, Cape Verde: A carnival-like atmosphere erupted in the streets of Cape Verde鈥檚 capital Praia recently after the tiny archipelago nation qualified for the World Cup for the first time.
Honking horns and street fireworks greeted euphoric fans pouring out of the Cape Verde National Stadium following the 3-0 victory over Eswatini, which secured the Blue Sharks a place in the 2026 finals, to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
In the street, people danced to the sound of reggae tunes and local funana music.

It was 鈥渁n incredible moment,鈥 37-year-old fan Jorge Junior Livramento told AFP near the stadium.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 have words. I was at the stadium and I supported our team unconditionally,鈥 he said.
Congratulating Cape Verde on their 鈥渉istoric moment,鈥 FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the achievement was likely to 鈥減ower a new generation of football lovers鈥 across the nation.
Cape Verde, located off the coast of Senegal, is the country with the smallest population to represent Africa in the global showpiece, with just 550,000 inhabitants.
It becomes the second-least populous nation to reach the World Cup, after Iceland, with just over 350,000, at Russia 2018.

- 鈥榁ictory for all鈥 -

鈥淚 shouted a lot during the match and now my voice is bad, but I am happy,鈥 Praia resident Jose Vieira told AFP after the victory, which he watched live in the stadium.
The celebrations were expected to continue into the night with a concert at Praia鈥檚 municipal stadium featuring local artists such as Djodje and Soraia Ramos.


Blue Sharks Coach Pedro 鈥淏ubista鈥 Brito told the press that 鈥済iving this happiness to these people is enormous,鈥 adding that 鈥渋t鈥檚 a victory for all the Cape Verdean people.鈥
Cape Verde won Group D with 23 points, four more than Cameroon, who hold the African record for World Cup appearances with eight. Cameroon drew 0-0 with Angola in Yaounde.
An archipelago of 10 islands in the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Verde gained independence from Portugal in 1975 and first attempted to reach the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a special moment in this celebration of the 50th anniversary of our independence,鈥 coach Bubista said.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a victory for all the Cape Verdean people and, above all, a victory for those who fought for our independence.鈥
On the island of Sao Vicente, Doris Da Luz, a trader and entrepreneur, told AFP that she was 鈥渧ery proud.鈥
鈥淚t鈥檚 a fight we鈥檝e been trying to achieve for a long time and finally coach Bubista managed to get us there,鈥 said Da Luz, dressed in the team鈥檚 blue.
The team reached the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals on their debut in 2013 and again in 2023 and are currently ranked 70th in the world.
鈥淚t鈥檚 time to celebrate,鈥 39-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha told reporters, explaining that he had 鈥渂een dreaming of this moment since I was a child.鈥
Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana and Cape Verde have now won groups and filled six of the nine places automatically reserved for Africa at the 2026 World Cup.
Fan Jose Jorge Borges, a 60-year-old journalist, told AFP in Praia it was a very memorable moment for Cape Verdeans.
鈥淭he emotions are visible and difficult to describe,鈥 he said.


鈥榁ery unlucky鈥 Odegaard faces weeks out, says Arteta

鈥榁ery unlucky鈥 Odegaard faces weeks out, says Arteta
Updated 17 October 2025

鈥榁ery unlucky鈥 Odegaard faces weeks out, says Arteta

鈥榁ery unlucky鈥 Odegaard faces weeks out, says Arteta
  • 鈥淚t will be weeks. No definite date for his return, but he鈥檚 evolving well,鈥 Arteta said
  • The Gunners lead title rivals Liverpool by one point after seven games

LONDON: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said on Friday that captain Martin Odegaard could be missing until after the November international break due to the Norwegian鈥檚 latest injury setback.
Odegaard set an unwanted record by becoming the first player in Premier League history to be substituted before half-time in three consecutive starts when he came off with a knee injury against West Ham on October 3.
The 26-year-old had previously struggled with a recurring shoulder problem this season.
鈥淚t will be weeks. No definite date for his return, but he鈥檚 evolving well. Very unlucky, what鈥檚 happening with him and his injuries this season,鈥 Arteta said ahead of Arsenal鈥檚 trip to Fulham on Saturday.
鈥淚t could be (after the next international break), but we鈥檒l have to see how he progresses, how the knee鈥檚 healing, how he manages after the next steps in his rehab, so too early to give an answer,鈥 he added.
Despite Odegaard鈥檚 disrupted start to the season and other injuries to Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, William Saliba and Noni Madueke, Arsenal have stormed to the top of the Premier League.
The Gunners lead title rivals Liverpool by one point after seven games as they seek to go one better after finishing third for three consecutive seasons.
Viktor Gyokeres was signed to end Arsenal鈥檚 need for a prolific striker.
The Swede, though, has so far scored just three times in 10 appearances and has not netted in his last eight matches for club and country.
Arteta backed the 27-year-old to come good and claimed to have been pleased with Gyokeres鈥 all-round performances so far.
鈥淗e brings so much to the team and watching the games back, I鈥檓 very pleased with what he鈥檚 given to the team,鈥 added Arteta.
鈥淚 told him before the first meeting, 鈥榯he nine that I want is a nine that when he doesn鈥檛 score for six or eight games, he can handle that. If not, you have to go somewhere else because the pressure, the expectation is going to be there.鈥
鈥淚f you put the number nine shirt on for Arsenal, you have to be able to say: 鈥榮ix games I don鈥檛 score, am I different player? Do I act in a different way?鈥
鈥淚 want much more of the same of what he鈥檚 doing. Once we have those opportunities, put them in. I鈥檓 sure it鈥檚 going to happen.鈥