Saudi Arabia Presents Bid to Host 2025 Olympic Esports Games

File photo of Saudi flag/Asharq Al-Awsat
File photo of Saudi flag/Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Arabia Presents Bid to Host 2025 Olympic Esports Games

File photo of Saudi flag/Asharq Al-Awsat
File photo of Saudi flag/Asharq Al-Awsat

The 142nd session of the International Olympic Committee (142nd IOC Session), held on Tuesday in Paris, reviewed Saudi Arabia's bid to host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games in 2025.
The session was chaired by IOC President Dr. Thomas Bach and attended by IOC members.
President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SOPC) Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, delivered a presentation during the session on Saudi Arabia's readiness and vision for hosting this historic and unprecedented event, SPA reported.
He detailed the Kingdom's capabilities, noting that it has hosted over 100 international sports events since the launch of the Saudi Vision 2030.
Moreover, IOC member Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan, reviewed the significant roles of sports in the Kingdom, highlighting its contributions to sustainability and enhancing global sports standards.
The session commended Saudi Arabia's bid to host the games, affirming that the Kingdom is the best choice for hosting the inaugural Olympic Esports Games due to its expertise and skills in this field.
The official Saudi delegation at the session included SOPC Vice President and Head of the Saudi Delegation to the Paris Olympics Prince Fahd bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed; Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Esports Federation (SEF) Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan; and the CEO and Secretary General of the SOPC, Abdulaziz Baeshen.



Inter Miami Stars Messi, Suárez to Miss MLS All-Star Game

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi waves as he walks off the field after being honored for his 45 career trophies before an MLS soccer match against the Chicago Fire, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi waves as he walks off the field after being honored for his 45 career trophies before an MLS soccer match against the Chicago Fire, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
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Inter Miami Stars Messi, Suárez to Miss MLS All-Star Game

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi waves as he walks off the field after being honored for his 45 career trophies before an MLS soccer match against the Chicago Fire, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi waves as he walks off the field after being honored for his 45 career trophies before an MLS soccer match against the Chicago Fire, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Inter Miami star Lionel Messi won't play in the MLS All-Star Game while nursing an ankle injury.
The 37-year-old Messi left the July 14 Copa America final win over Colombia with a right ankle injury. His teammate, Luis Suárez, also won't play in the game Wednesday in Columbus, Ohio, with what the team described as “knee discomfort.”
Both were listed among the unavailable players by the league on Monday, The Associated Press reported.
Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner from Argentina, has missed Miami's wins over Toronto FC and the Chicago Fire. The team said both players' status for Saturday's Leagues Cup opening match at home against Mexican club Puebla “will be assessed based on their daily recovery process.”
The MLS All-Star Game pits top players from league clubs against players from Mexico's Liga MX.
Miami teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba will play Wednesday night.
Real Salt Lake forward Cristian Arango will also miss the All-Star Game while serving a four-game suspension from Major League Soccer for violating the league’s anti-harassment policy. Arango leads MLS with 17 goals and 11 assists.