President Chris Chan, left, handed the GEF flag to Saudi Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, right, in Istanbul ©GEF

Global Esports Federation (GEF) President Chris Chan has declared last month's Global Esports Games in Istanbul an "epic success", and expressed his excitement for this year's third edition of the event in Riyadh.

The Turkish city of Istanbul held the Games from December 15 to 17 last year, and is set to be followed by the Saudi capital Riyadh in December 2023.

Singaporean official Chan handed the GEF flag to Saudi Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud at the Closing Ceremony in Istanbul, and hopes to build on the most recent staging of the Games.

"Following the epic success of the Istanbul 2022 Global Esports Games, our entire #worldconnected community is really looking forward to heading to the Saudi capital, Riyadh, in December this year, for our third Global Esports Games," he said.

GEF President Chris Chan said that the second edition of the Global Esports Games in Istanbul was
GEF President Chris Chan said that the second edition of the Global Esports Games in Istanbul was "an epic success" and is already looking forward to this year's event in Riyadh ©GEF

Prince Faisal is vice-president of the GEF and President of the Saudi Esports Federation and Arab Esports Federation.

He also chairs the Coordination Commissions for the 2023 Global Esports Games and the 2024 edition in China.

Prince Faisal expressed his belief in the value of esports, and hopes that Riyadh 2023 offers an opportunity to showcase its progress.

"There is an outdated perception of gamers as people locked in basements," Prince Faisal said.

"Gamers are athletes, they are sociable, and they are good people.

"They love to be part of a community."

Last year's Global Esports Games in Istanbul was seen as an important event in the development of the sport ©GEF
Last year's Global Esports Games in Istanbul was seen as an important event in the development of the sport ©GEF

Prince Faisal referenced the development of esports in Saudi Arabia.

"Sixty-eight percent of our community consider themselves gamers, and it is well-balanced between men and women," he claimed.

During the Games in Istanbul, Prince Faisal argued that "change is happening" in Saudi Arabia, and insisted "we are a culture that is welcoming, that enjoys bringing people in and showing our culture".

Critics have accused the Saudi regime of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud of sportswashing and seeking to distract from its record on human rights, including the state-ordered assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, its role in the bombing in Yemen, harsh restrictions in place on women's rights and its use of the death penalty.

Saudi Arabia has carved out a significant influence in esports, including previously staging two GEF tournaments on the Global Esports Tour.

Prince Faisal is reportedly working to bridge differences between the GEF and the rival International Esports Federation.

The GEF already has hosts secured for its 2025 and 2026 Global Esports Games in the United Arab Emirates and the United States respectively.