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NGSC 2025 expands program at world’s largest esports conference with new speakers, forums

NGSC 2025 expands program at world’s largest esports conference with new speakers, forums
NGSC 2025 is the leading global platform at the intersection of gaming, esports and sport. (Supplied)
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Updated 16 August 2025

NGSC 2025 expands program at world’s largest esports conference with new speakers, forums

NGSC 2025 expands program at world’s largest esports conference with new speakers, forums
  • With over 1,500 delegates, the Riyadh event will host 500 CEOs, including Hideo Kojima, Steven Bartlett, and leaders from Amazon, Ubisoft, and FIFA

RIYADH: The Esports World Cup Foundation has expanded its New Global Sports Conference 2025 program, confirming additional speakers, new content tracks, and event design updates for its return to Riyadh on Aug. 23-24.

Held at the Four Seasons Hotel during the closing weekend of the Esports World Cup, the world’s largest esports and gaming event, NGSC 2025 is the leading global platform at the intersection of gaming, esports and sport.

With over 1,500 delegates confirmed, the event will welcome more than 500 CEOs, presidents, and board members. Attendees represent more than 25 major game publishers, as well as over 50 elite esports clubs, and leaders across global sport, technology venture capital, and media.

New NGSC 2025 speakers include game creator Hideo Kojima, one of the most influential figures in interactive entertainment, and his longtime collaborator, filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn; Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot, the force behind Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry; and Matthew Ball, a pioneering tech authority, investor, producer, and best-selling author. Media entrepreneur Steven Bartlett brings insight from “Diary of a CEO” podcast, while Dan Clancy, CEO of Twitch, will explore how their platforms are shaping the future of gaming and live entertainment.

They join speakers and attendees that include World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen, Peter Moore, former CEO of Liverpool FC, LA28 Chair and President Casey Wasserman and senior executives from FIFA, Activision, Sony, SEGA, Hero Esports, and the Esports World Cup Foundation.

Hans Jagnow, director of special projects at EWCF, said: “Over two years, NGSC 2025 has evolved into the world’s largest forum for leaders in gaming, esports and sport. This year, we expanded stages and content to bring together a growing audience of visionaries who see NGSC as the ultimate platform to define the next game. We look forward to the ideas, commitments and connections forged at the booked-out event that will drive the growth and innovation of our industry and shape what’s next.”

NGSC 2025 will introduce new formats for strategic dialogue and insight through the Foundry, an exclusive stage hosting masterclasses, workshops and curated roundtables. While most sessions are open to registered guests, select high-level discussions will be by invitation only. Within the Foundry, the Investor Track connects leading investors with high-potential ventures in gaming, esports and sport through a series of closed-door, investment-focused sessions.

A new NGSC Studio stage will host live podcasts, interviews and original content over the two days, giving a platform to the voices and ideas shaping the future of sport and entertainment. Alongside this, the expanded media village will serve as the central hub for press activity, real-time content and storytelling across the event.

The preliminary program is now live, with more sessions and speakers to be announced.


Felix bags treble as unstoppable Al-Nassr extend lead at top of Saudi Pro League

Felix bags treble as unstoppable Al-Nassr extend lead at top of Saudi Pro League
Updated 18 sec ago

Felix bags treble as unstoppable Al-Nassr extend lead at top of Saudi Pro League

Felix bags treble as unstoppable Al-Nassr extend lead at top of Saudi Pro League
  • 5-1 win over Al-Fateh at Al-Awwal Park sees Riyadh club open up 4-point gap on rivals Al-Hilal

RIYADH: A Joao Felix hat-trick on Saturday saw Al-Nassr extend their lead at the top of the Saudi Pro League after a comprehensive 5-1 win over Al-Fateh at Al-Awwal Park.

The Riyadh club now have a maximum 15 points after five rounds of the SPL season, four more than second-place Al-Hilal, who earlier in the day beat Al-Ettifaq 5-0 in Dammam.

Going into the weekend’s fixtures, Al-Nassr held a three-point lead over reigning champions Al-Ittihad, who could only manage a 1-1 draw at Al-Fayha on Friday.

Portuguese playmaker Felix opened the scoring for Al-Nassr in the 13th minute with what turned out to be the only goal of the first half. The leaders were rocked when Algerian forward Sofiane Bendebka equalized for Al-Fateh in the 54th minute, but the setback proved to be just a temporary one for Al-Nassr.

Cristiano Ronaldo restored Al-Nassr’s lead on the hour mark with a sensational long-range strike, one minute after seeing his penalty saved by the visitors’ goalkeeper Amin Al-Bukhari.

Felix continued his excellent form since joining Al-Nassr this summer by scoring the Yellows’ third and fifth goals in the 68th and 80th minutes, while Frenchman Kingsley Coman got in on the act by scoring the fourth in the 75th minute.

Al-Nassr’s next match is away to Goa on Wednesday in AFC Champions League Two before they travel to Al-Hazem for their sixth clash of the Saudi Pro League on Saturday, Oct. 25.

Earlier on Saturday, visitors Al-Hazem defeated Al-Okhdood 2-1 to climb to 12th in the SPL table, while their hosts are now in 17th position.


Pakistan mull third spinner as they look for South Africa sweep

Pakistan mull third spinner as they look for South Africa sweep
Updated 16 min 31 sec ago

Pakistan mull third spinner as they look for South Africa sweep

Pakistan mull third spinner as they look for South Africa sweep
  • Pakistan beat World Test champions South Africa by 93 runs inside four days last week
  • Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed or uncapped Asif Afridi can be called up for second Test on Monday

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan could include a third spinner against South Africa as the hosts try to sweep the series 2-0 in the second Test in Rawalpindi, head coach Azhar Mahmood said Sunday.

Pakistan beat World Test champions South Africa by 93 runs inside four days last week with spinners taking 34 of the 40 wickets on a turning Qaddafi Stadium pitch.

Mahmood said either leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed or uncapped 38-year-old left-armer Asif Afridi could be called up for the second and final Test beginning on Monday on a dry Rawalpindi pitch.

Left-armer Noman Ali took 10 wickets in the first Test while his spin partner Sajid Khan finished with six.

With the pitch in Rawalpindi likely to turn more as the match goes on, Mahmood stressed that first innings runs will be crucial, whether batting first or second.

“The pitch looks dry ... so you need to score big and not depend on the toss for a favorable result,” said Mahmood.

South Africa will be bolstered by the return of experienced left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj, who missed the first Test with a groin strain.

“Keshav is fit and obviously it is great to have him back,” said South Africa stand-in captain Aiden Markram.

“He brings in great experience and a really good skill set.”

Maharaj is likely to partner Senuran Muthusamy, who excelled with 11 wickets in the first Test.

“It is really important for us to try to level the series,” said Markram, who is captain because Temba Bavuma is injured.

“We are expecting more spin in this Test but it is an opportunity for us.”

Tony de Zorzi made a century in the first Test and Markram said the South Africans had “tapped into him” to understand “what worked against the Pakistan spinners.”

“It is good to have someone with that confidence,” he added.


Aramco F4 ֱn Championship concludes Round 2 in Bahrain

Aramco F4 ֱn Championship concludes Round 2 in Bahrain
Updated 59 min 10 sec ago

Aramco F4 ֱn Championship concludes Round 2 in Bahrain

Aramco F4 ֱn Championship concludes Round 2 in Bahrain
  • Third and fourth rounds of ֱ’s FIA-accredited single-seater series will take place in Jeddah during November

MANAMA: Round 2 of the FIA-certified Aramco F4 ֱn Championship concluded on Saturday with Kit Belofsky and Adam Al-Azhari winning one race each at the Bahrain International Circuit in Manama.

The event was promoted by Altawkilat Motorsport under the supervision of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation.

The Bahrain International Circuit has hosted the opening two rounds of the Aramco F4 ֱn Championship, each delivering two thrilling races that showcased the rising standards of ֱ’s FIA-accredited single-seater series.

In Round 1, Belofsky (PEAX) claimed victory in the first race, while Emirati driver Al-Azhari (VALVOLINE) triumphed in Race 2.

The duo’s momentum continued into Round 2 yesterday, where Al-Azhari secured the win in Race 3 before Belofsky ended the weekend with an impressive victory in Race 4.

Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Faisal, chairman of SAMF, welcomed the return of the Aramco F4 ֱn Championship, expressing his delight at the level of organization delivered by Altawkilat Motorsport, as well as the impressive performances of the drivers and intense competition witnessed throughout the races.

“This championship is important for Saudi and international drivers alike, serving as a platform to prepare the next generation of Saudi drivers capable of competing regionally and globally,” he said. “These championships contribute to developing drivers both physically and mentally, while enhancing their technical skills and readiness to face motorsport challenges with a high degree of professionalism.”

Prince Khalid concluded by saying: “We look forward to continuing this momentum as the championship moves to Jeddah for the upcoming rounds, further reinforcing the Kingdom’s position as a leading destination for motorsport, in line with Saudi Vision 2030’s goals of empowering youth and developing the sports sector.”

With the Bahrain rounds now complete, attention turns to the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, the fastest street circuit in the world, which will host the remaining stages of the Aramco F4 ֱn Championship.

Round 3 will take place on Nov. 10–11, followed by Round 4 on Nov. 14–15, before the season finale on Dec. 5–6.


Passion meets horsepower as Pakistan’s motorsports gain traction at Race Wars 2025

Passion meets horsepower as Pakistan’s motorsports gain traction at Race Wars 2025
Updated 19 October 2025

Passion meets horsepower as Pakistan’s motorsports gain traction at Race Wars 2025

Passion meets horsepower as Pakistan’s motorsports gain traction at Race Wars 2025
  • Over 300 drivers from across the country competed in circuit, drag and drift races at Islamabad festival
  • Event offered young enthusiasts a safer outlet for their passion, long confined to late-night street drifting

ISLAMABAD: Mohammad Wasif stood on the track as the roar of turbocharged engines echoed across Shakarparian Parade Ground, with clouds of tire smoke billowing into the evening sky at a venue better known for military drills than motorsports.

The ground is playing host to Race Wars 2025, a three-day motorsports festival being held from Oct. 17-19 by the Islamabad administration. The event drew more than 300 participants from across Pakistan to compete in circuit, drag and drift races — a rare spectacle in a country with no dedicated racetracks.

For 24-year-old Wasif, who traveled from Faisalabad to compete, the festival represented years of automotive passion culminating in serious competition. His BMW E63, equipped with a W212R engine producing around 700 wheel horsepower, reflected the level of investment enthusiasts are making in their craft.

“Back in the day, I used to have my family car, I modified it and then I became a car enthusiast and switched multiple cars and ended up on this,” he told Arab News after being eliminated in the second round of head-to-head racing.

Cars drift at Race Wars 2025 in Islamabad, Pakistan, on October 17, 2025. (AN)

Pakistan lacks organized competitions for motorsport lovers, though young drivers are often seen drifting on empty roads late at night, a practice that raises safety concerns.

Syed Hamza Hamid, one of the event’s organizers, said such festivals provide a legitimate outlet for this passion.

“A lot of people are passionate, but they need a place where they can show their skills and grow,” he said.

Cars drift at Race Wars 2025 in Islamabad, Pakistan, on October 17, 2025. (AN)

The event featured three main disciplines: head-to-head circuit racing, drag racing and drift competitions, each testing different aspects of driving skill and machine performance.

In head-to-head circuit racing, two cars race simultaneously in a tournament-style elimination format that tests handling, braking, acceleration and a driver’s ability to perform under pressure. With nine different categories, the competition produced nine winners as racers battled wheel-to-wheel, with the car ahead claiming victory and the one behind heading home.

Drag racing offers a simplified version of head-to-head competition, stripping away the complexity to focus purely on acceleration along a straight line. Two cars launch simultaneously, and the faster machine wins the race.

However, drift competition brings an entirely different challenge. Beginners drift solo, while experts perform in tandem or trio runs, sliding in synchronized movements inches apart.

Cars drift at Race Wars 2025 in Islamabad, Pakistan, on October 17, 2025. (AN)

Judges award points based on how precisely drivers place their tires in designated zones on the track and how closely they maneuver near walls. Unlike circuit racing, being in front doesn’t guarantee victory in drifting: control, precision and style matter more than speed.

The cars on display at the festival ranged from modified Civics and Corollas to BMW, Mercedes, Ford and specialized builds like the TRA Kyoto Pandem.

Participants said modifications vary depending on competition type: drift cars require suspension geometry adjustments and limited-slip differentials for controlled slides, drag cars depend on engine upgrades and lightweight components for faster acceleration and circuit racers need balanced setups emphasizing both power and handling.

Cars drift at Race Wars 2025 in Islamabad, Pakistan, on October 17, 2025. (AN)

Businessman Rehan Saleem brought his extensively modified 2006 BMW E90 to the event, equipped with a Japanese 1JZ-GTE engine typically found in a Toyota Supra, a heavy-duty gearbox and a reinforced engine block capable of handling extreme power.

“The future is bright, the new generation has a lot of interest and boys have even more,” he said as he prepared for the drag race.

The festival attracted a predominantly young crowd, mostly in their twenties and thirties, who watched from tiered stands as safety barriers kept spectators at a distance from the action.

Large screens displayed close-up views, while food stalls and music created a festive atmosphere extending from morning practice sessions through evening competitions.

For first-time motorsports spectator Iman Malik, a student, the experience exceeded expectations.

“I had no idea that this was happening here, but a friend told me and then we made a plan recently,” she said. “If there is a next show, I would like to participate.”

Behind the scenes, organizing an event of this scale required massive coordination. Hamid explained that four different teams, each comprising more than a hundred members, handled everything from race control and pit management to security and spectator services.

Participants paid Rs20,000 ($70) entry fees for head-to-head and drag racing, while drift competitors paid Rs10,000 ($35).

Despite the substantial investment and planning, organizers acknowledged motorsports events in Pakistan remain financially challenging ventures.

“One day maybe they are profitable, but now it’s too soon because sponsors don’t join,” Hamid said. “But if the drivers are happy, we are happy.”


Lionel Messi’s hat trick powers Inter Miami past Nashville on Decision Day

Lionel Messi’s hat trick powers Inter Miami past Nashville on Decision Day
Updated 19 October 2025

Lionel Messi’s hat trick powers Inter Miami past Nashville on Decision Day

Lionel Messi’s hat trick powers Inter Miami past Nashville on Decision Day
  • Telasco Segovia also scored for Inter Miami (19-7-8, 65 points), who won their third straight game

MIAMI: Lionel Messi recorded a hat trick and added an assist and Baltasar Rodriguez scored the tie-breaking goal as visiting Inter Miami used a second-half assault to defeat Nashville SC 5-2 in a Decision Day matchup on Saturday night.
Telasco Segovia also scored for Inter Miami (19-7-8, 65 points), who won their third straight game. Miami will be the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs and faces a rematch with No. 6 Nashville in the first round.
Sam Surridge and Jacob Shaffelburg scored goals for Nashville (16-12-6, 54 points), which didn’t allow a shot over the first 34 minutes before being badly exposed in the second half.
Messi finishes the regular season with 29 goals while all but clinching the Golden Boot.
Rocco Rios Novo made five saves for Miami, while Nashville’s Joe Willis had four stops.
Nashville was nursing a 2-1 lead in the second half until Andy Najar was called for a hand ball.
Messi took the ensuing penalty kick in the 63rd minute and easily sent a left- footed shot into the left corner of the net to tie the match.
The goal energized Miami and it moved ahead just four minutes later.
Luis Suarez took a right-footed shot that Willis knocked away. But the ball bounced over toward Rodriguez, who sent a right-footed shot past Willis to give Miami a 3-2 lead.
Messi was at it again in the 81st minute as he booted a left-footed shot into the lower left corner to make it 4-2.
In the first minute of second-half stoppage time, Messi had possession and closed in on Willis before feeding the wide-open Segovia, who kicked the ball into the net to finish off the flurry.
Miami outshot Nashville 17-15 and had a 9-7 edge in shots on target.
Nashville dominated play in the first half but led just 2-1 at halftime.
Miami’s initial shot came on Messi’s goal in the 34th minute. He received the ball from Jordi Alba and had three defenders to maneuver around before sending a left-footed shot into the left corner of the net.
Nashville responded in the 43rd minute when Hany Mukhtar sent a short centering pass to Surridge, who knocked in a header.
Nashville struck again in the sixth minute of first-half stoppage time. Mukhtar took a shot that caromed off the right goalpost and the ball went directly to Shaffelburg, who knocked it home to put Nashville ahead.