AlUla to Host E-Sport Drone Champions League Super Final 2023 for 1st Time in Region

The Royal Commission for AlUla will host the Drone Champions League Super Final 2023 on December 20. (SPA)
The Royal Commission for AlUla will host the Drone Champions League Super Final 2023 on December 20. (SPA)
TT
20

AlUla to Host E-Sport Drone Champions League Super Final 2023 for 1st Time in Region

The Royal Commission for AlUla will host the Drone Champions League Super Final 2023 on December 20. (SPA)
The Royal Commission for AlUla will host the Drone Champions League Super Final 2023 on December 20. (SPA)

The Royal Commission for AlUla, in collaboration with strategic partners Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones and the Saudi E-Sports Federation, announced on Monday the hosting of the Drone Champions League Super Final 2023, the first event of its kind to be hosted in the ancient city of AlUla.

The event represents a milestone in AlUla’s ambition to becoming a global destination for E-Sports and Drone Gaming industry, infusing the heart of the modern drone racing world with an essence of ancient charm.

The event is organized by DCL Drone Champions League, the technical organizer of the event, and is set to take place on December 20. The Super Final flagship event of DCL promises to reveal the most extraordinary display of skill, innovation, and technology in a stunning setting of AlUla's Old Town, which has been recognized by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as one of the world’s Best Tourism Villages in 2022.

Rami AlMoallim, Vice President of Destination Management and Marketing at the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), expressed his excitement, stating: "We are thrilled to welcome the DCL Drone Champions League Super Final 2023 to AlUla, along with our strategic partners at the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones and the Saudi E-Sports Federation."

"AlUla has always been a place for gathering on the old Incense Trading Route, with 7,000 years of continuous human civilizations, and we are committed to showcasing the beauty of AlUla to the world once again with various innovative activities and hosting unforgettable events."

Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones spokesperson Yaser Alosaimi said: "With this collaboration to host the DCL Super Final in AlUla, one of the most prominent destinations in the region, we are advancing Saudi Arabia's ambitions to be one of the leading nations in drone racing sport and in technical fields and aligning with global standards. By enhancing our national capabilities, we are actively progressing towards a more advanced future for all."

Faisal Bin Homran, Chief Esports officer at Saudi Esports Federation, said: "Hosting DCL Super Final in AlUla is an extension to our deep commitment towards making the Kingdom a global hub for gaming and esports industry, and this innovative event is an important milestone that will reshape the future of Esports In the Kingdom and fostering a new era of excellence within the field."

Markus Stampfer, Chairman of the Board of DCL Drone Champions League, said: "The Super Final 2023 in AlUla will not only showcase the incredible skill and innovation of our competing teams but also highlight the beauty and cultural significance of this extraordinary location. We are committed to working closely with local authorities and stakeholders to ensure that this event benefits the AlUla community and promotes sustainable tourism in the region."

The event marks the first Super Final ever held in a GCC country, which will not only showcase the historical significance of AlUla, the ancient city that is home to Hegra, the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in Saudi Arabia, but will also add to its thrilling roster of annual sports events.

Furthermore, it signifies unprecedented growth and unveils a wealth of opportunities within the E-Sports sector in AlUla and Saudi Arabia at large. The event is set to raise interest from the local population, setting the stage for enduring collaborations that are poised to reshape the landscape of E-Sports in the region for years to come.

DCL Super Final 2023 is set to captivate audiences in AlUla at the Old Town Amphitheatrer. This unique event blends physical and virtual elements, with pilots stationed in AlUla but maneuvering their drones virtually within the amphitheater. The colossal screen at the venue promises a real-time spectacle for onlookers. The event will spotlight AlUla, enticing both local communities and drone/e-game enthusiasts nationwide and across the GCC to partake in this thrilling convergence of technology and sport.

While no physical drones will be flying in AlUla, it will be a chance for drone sports enthusiasts to enjoy the stunning and diverse landscapes of AlUla, varying between golden canyons, lush green oases or spectacular geological marvels.

It's an event that will not only showcase the scenic natural beauty of AlUla but also decide the World Champion of Drone Racing. The convergence of technology, athleticism, and AlUla’s vision for sports and adventure will make this Super Final a truly exceptional and unforgettable experience.

The Drone Champions League Super Final 2023 marks the inaugural event from the world of E-Sports and drone racing sports to be introduced into the AlUla Moments Calendar of events and festivals. The event promises both visitors and E-Sports enthusiasts to immerse themselves in a fresh and exciting experience amidst the vibrant cultural tapestry of AlUla.



Shakira Cancels Colombia Concert Over Venue Safety Concerns

A fan holds a cassette of Shakira in front of the clinic where the Colombian singer is hospitalized in Lima on February 16, 2025. (AFP)
A fan holds a cassette of Shakira in front of the clinic where the Colombian singer is hospitalized in Lima on February 16, 2025. (AFP)
TT
20

Shakira Cancels Colombia Concert Over Venue Safety Concerns

A fan holds a cassette of Shakira in front of the clinic where the Colombian singer is hospitalized in Lima on February 16, 2025. (AFP)
A fan holds a cassette of Shakira in front of the clinic where the Colombian singer is hospitalized in Lima on February 16, 2025. (AFP)

Shakira has canceled a concert in Colombia, among dozens of dates on her world tour, due to a damaged stage roof that posed safety concerns, event organizers said on Friday.

The Colombian singer-songwriter is on her first world tour in seven years, with nearly 50 performances scheduled in Latin America through June, followed by more concerts in the United States and Canada.

"During the process of setting up the show scheduled for February 24, the stage roof installed by a local production company suffered damage that put the artist's safety at risk," event organizer Paramo Presenta wrote on social media on Friday.

The company added that it hoped to reschedule the concert, which was due to take place at the Atanasio Girardot Stadium in Medellin.

The 48-year-old four-time Grammy winner had already been forced to scrap a tour date in Peru after she received treatment in hospital last week for an abdominal condition.

Titled "Las mujeres ya no lloran" (Women Don't Cry Anymore), the tour kicked off in Rio de Janeiro this month just a few days after she received a Grammy for best Latin pop album.

She returned to her hometown of Barranquilla, where she was welcomed on Thursday by tens of thousands of fans at the Metropolitano stadium.

With more than 90 million records sold worldwide, Shakira is one of the most popular Latin artists of all time.

She has back-to-back concerts scheduled in Bogota on Wednesday and Thursday, according to her website.