Saudi Arabia to Host Next World Forum with Participation of Esports Leaders, Experts

Saudi Esports Federation (SEF) Chairman Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan. (SEF)
Saudi Esports Federation (SEF) Chairman Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan. (SEF)
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Saudi Arabia to Host Next World Forum with Participation of Esports Leaders, Experts

Saudi Esports Federation (SEF) Chairman Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan. (SEF)
Saudi Esports Federation (SEF) Chairman Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan. (SEF)

The Next World Forum, an esports and gaming forum that will bring together sector leaders and experts from around the world, will be held in Riyadh from September 7 to 8 September, reported the Saudi Press Agency.

The global gaming and esports community will gather to discuss the development of this vibrant and flourishing sector.

More than 1,200 delegates from across the globe will gather in Riyadh to discuss the most pertinent issues in esports and gaming at the in-person Forum.

With a highly impressive list of speakers, invitees include ministers of sport from various leading nations, investors, gamers, developers, tech providers, start-ups, public sector representatives, brands and advertisers, publishers, broadcasters, and federations and leagues.

The Next World Forum, which will be organized by the Saudi Esports Federation (SEF), additionally brings the curtain down on the phenomenally successful season of Gamers8, the biggest esports and gaming event worldwide, which is currently being held at Boulevard Riyadh City.

SEF Chairman Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan said: "The Next World Forum is an opportunity to shape the future agenda of esports and gaming, including the complete capture of full sector growth through investment and collaboration."

"It is imperative that we propel a gaming and esports sector that offers rich opportunities for industry and governments while meeting and exceeding new expectations from gamers around business models," he added.

"In pursuing that quest, Saudi Arabia, which has an aim to become not just one of the global leaders in esports and gaming, but the global leader, is a fitting host for the Next World Forum," he stated.

High-level speakers at the Next World Forum include Prince Faisal; Chester King, CEO, British Esports & Vice-President, Global Esports Federation; Mario Pérez Guerreira CEO, MENA & Partner, GGTech; Sayo Olowabi, Security General, Africa Esports Development Federation (AEDF); and Grant Johnson, Chairman and CEO, Esports Entertainment Group.



Former Argentina Coach Sampaoli Takes Over at French Club Rennes

FILE - Coach Jorge Sampaoli of Brazil's Flamengo reacts during a Copa Libertadores round of 16 second leg soccer match against Paraguay's Olimpia at Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asuncion, Paraguay, Aug.10, 2023. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz, File )
FILE - Coach Jorge Sampaoli of Brazil's Flamengo reacts during a Copa Libertadores round of 16 second leg soccer match against Paraguay's Olimpia at Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asuncion, Paraguay, Aug.10, 2023. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz, File )
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Former Argentina Coach Sampaoli Takes Over at French Club Rennes

FILE - Coach Jorge Sampaoli of Brazil's Flamengo reacts during a Copa Libertadores round of 16 second leg soccer match against Paraguay's Olimpia at Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asuncion, Paraguay, Aug.10, 2023. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz, File )
FILE - Coach Jorge Sampaoli of Brazil's Flamengo reacts during a Copa Libertadores round of 16 second leg soccer match against Paraguay's Olimpia at Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asuncion, Paraguay, Aug.10, 2023. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz, File )

Former Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli is taking over at French league side Rennes.
The 64-year-old is returning to French soccer following a previous stint with Marseille.
Rennes said late Monday that Sampaoli signed a 1 1/2-year contract, The Associated Press reported.
Sampaoli, who was in charge of Argentina at the 2018 World Cup, replaces Julien Stephan, who was dismissed last week.
Rennes is looking for a jolt after a mediocre spell that saw the team slump to 13th place in the standings, 18 points behind leader Paris Saint-Germain after 11 matches.
“He is a coach who is recognized internationally for his professionalism and humanism,” said Arnaud Pouille, the executive chairman and managing director at Rennes. “He has a strong attachment to his players and staff, and is a loyal and committed man. We need his energy to get the club moving again and to face the competition with determination.”
The much-traveled Sampaoli has also coached clubs in Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Spain and Brazil.
Sampaoli abruptly left Marseille in July 2022 after leading the team back to the Champions League, over a disagreement related to the club's transfers of players.