Industry leaders discuss integrating esports into Olympic framework

Integrating Esports aims to legitimize it among sports by fostering global participation and leveraging innovative technologies for equitable access. (AN Photo/Abdulrahman Shalhoub)
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Updated 24 August 2024
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Industry leaders discuss integrating esports into Olympic framework

  • Merger will open new avenues for participation and innovation, says Abdulaziz Baeshen, CEO and secretary-general of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee 

RIYADH: With gaming continuing to gain momentum on a global scale, industry experts and leaders at the New Global Sports Conference in Riyadh explored integrating esports within the Olympics framework, suggesting possible benefits of a merger range from enhanced governance and structure to broader global participation and technological innovation.

“There is a massive growth in esports globally, and I believe that its integration with the Olympic framework will provide esports with governance and structure to flourish,” said Abdulaziz Baeshen, CEO and secretary-general of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee.

Baeshen made his remarks during a panel discussion titled “How Esports is Shaping the Next Chapter of Olympic History” at the conference on Saturday.

He said that competitive gaming tournaments involve skilled professional players and teams. Esports, like traditional sports, follow familiar formats that include leagues, teams, and individual athletes.

“Such a rise in esports signals to partners and companies that want to invest into esports, as I believe that sustainable growth and investment will happen across all continents, and this is probably an important piece if we want the work of esports to continue globally,” Baeshen added.

Growing interest will encourage international sports federations to explore new avenues for participation and innovation in esports, he said.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 aligns closely with the goals of the Esports World Cup, focusing on unlocking new opportunities and shaping the next generation of professional gamers.

Ng Ser Miang, vice president of the International Olympic Committee, highlighted recent developments, saying: “The creation of the Olympic Esports Games was approved during our 142nd session earlier this year.”

He announced that the IOC has partnered with Saudi Arabia to host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games in the Kingdom.

“The crossover and the merger between both traditional sports and esports titles opens a room of possibilities and something to explore,” he added.

Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, discussed the evolution of esports and the next steps for its integration into the Olympic Games.




David Lappartient, chair of the IOC Esports and Gaming Liaison Group and president of Union Cycliste Internationale, said that there are 3.4 billion gamers worldwide. (AN Photo/Abdulrahman Shalhoub)

“Since 2010, the industry absolutely changed with the advent of free-to-play games, democratizing the sport and increasing its accessibility,” Reichert said.

Esports have grown organically, evolving from informal competitions into a global phenomenon, he said.

“The traditional sports world’s engagement with esports began in 2018, leading to the current integration with the Olympic framework,” Reichert added, saying that the enthusiasm of fans and packed stadiums played a crucial role in the widespread recognition of esports.

David Lappartient, chair of the IOC Esports and Gaming Liaison Group and president of Union Cycliste Internationale, addressed the challenges and opportunities of expanding global participation in esports, particularly in regions where competitive gaming is still in its infancy.

“We have 3.4 billion gamers worldwide, and we believe we can continue to expand that, and more specifically, territories of countries where esports presence is not popular,” Lappartient said.

He highlighted the potential of new technologies such as cloud gaming to provide equitable access and enable regional tournaments.

“The Olympic Esports Games will help bring all countries into the journey, with a focus on regional competitions,” he added.

Key initiatives supporting the Olympic Esports Games include offering significant prize money, creating sustainable support programs for clubs, featuring top games, and transforming Riyadh into a global destination for esports.


Heavy hitters book places in 2025 PFL World Tournament semis

Updated 7 sec ago
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Heavy hitters book places in 2025 PFL World Tournament semis

  • Heavyweights Rodrigo Nascimento, Oleg Popov, Alexandr Romanov and Valentin Moldavsky advance from first round in Orlando
  • The PFL welterweight and featherweight semifinals begin on Thursday, June 12

FLORIDA: The first round of the 2025 PFL World Tournament concluded on Thursday night at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, with four fighters in the heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions punching their tickets to June’s semifinals.

In the heavyweight semifinals, Brazil’s Rodrigo Nascimento (12-3) will take on Russia’s Oleg Popov (20-2), while Moldova’s Alexandr Romanov (19-3) is set to face former interim Bellator champion, Valentin Moldavsky (14-4).

In the light heavyweight semifinals, former Bellator champion Phil Davis (25-7, 1 NC) will face Arizona’s Sullivan Cauley (7-1), while former PFL Europe standout Simeon Powell (11-1) will go head-to-head with 2021 PFL light heavyweight champion Antonio Carlos Jr. (17-6, 2 NC).

Thursday’s main event featured a clash between Davis and 2022 PFL light heavyweight champion Rob Wilkinson (19-4, 1 NC). After a slow start, Davis, an NCAA wrestling champion, came out firing in the second round, overwhelming his Australian opponent with a barrage of strikes that forced the referee to step in. With the emphatic stoppage, Davis secured his spot in the semifinals.

The co-main event featured a showdown between two Russian heavyweights with nearly identical records, former interim Bellator champion Valentin Moldavsky and Sergey Bilostenniy (13-4). It is rare to see heavyweights maintain such a relentless pace, but the former training partners emptied their tanks over three grueling rounds. While Bilostenniy landed more volume, Moldavsky controlled the grappling exchanges and delivered the more impactful strikes, earning a well-deserved decision victory.

Former Bellator light heavyweight No.1 contender Karl Moore (12-4) squared off against 2021 PFL light heavyweight champion Antonio “Shoeface” Carlos Jr. Using his elite jiu-jitsu pedigree, Carlos J. was able to neutralize the power of his Irish opponent for most of the bout. Despite a late flurry from Moore in the final round, Carlos Jr. stayed in control and earned the split decision victory, his eighth win in his past nine fights.

Kicking off the main card was a clash between two European light heavyweights: Karl Albrektsson (14-7) and Simeon Powell. Albrektsson found success early, landing a steady stream of kicks that scored points and wore down the 2023 PFL Europe light heavyweight runner-up. However, momentum shifted in the second round when Powell unleashed a flurry of vicious elbows that staggered the Swede and dropped him to the canvas, prompting the referee to step in. With the win, “Smooth” Powell secured his spot in the semifinals in June.

The 2025 PFL World Tournament continues on Thursday, June 12, with the welterweight and featherweight semifinals.

2025 PFL World Tournament 4: First round main card

Phil Davis (25-7, 1 NC) def. Rob Wilkinson (19-4,1 NC) via KO (strikes) at 00:51 of round two

Valentin Moldavsky (14-4) def. Sergey Bilostenniy (13-4) via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

Antonio Carlos Jr (17-6, 2 NC) def. Karl Moore (12-4) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Simeon Powell (11-1) def. Karl Albrektsson (14-7) via TKO (strikes) at 2:05 of round two

2025 PFL World Tournament 4: First round early card

Alexandr Romanov (19-3) def. Tim Johnson (18-12) via submission (standing guillotine) at 1:53 of round one

Oleg Popov (20-2) def. Karl Williams (10-3) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Sullivan Cauley (7-1) def. Alex Polizzi (11-5) via TKO (strikes) at 1:36 of round one

Rodrigo Nascimento (12-3) def. Abraham Bably (5-2) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

2025 PFL World Tournament schedule

2025 PFL World Tournament 5: Semifinals, June 12, Nashville Municipal Auditorium, Nashville

2025 PFL World Tournament 6: Semifinals, June 20, INTRUST Bank Arena, Wichita

2025 PFL World Tournament 7: Semifinals, June 27, Wintrust Arena, Chicago

2025 PFL World Tournament 8: Finals, Aug. 1, Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ

2025 PFL World Tournament 9: Finals, Aug. 15, Bojangles Coliseum, Charlotte, North Carolina

2025 PFL World Tournament 10: Finals, Aug. 21, Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Hollywood, Florida


Brentford have a chance of playing in Europe but manager sounds caution

Updated 02 May 2025
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Brentford have a chance of playing in Europe but manager sounds caution

  • Brentford host Manchester United next and then complete their campaign with away trips to Ipswich Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers, with a home clash against Fulham sandwiched between

NOTTINGHAM: Brentford’s surprise away win over Nottingham Forest on Thursday kept alive its hopes of a place in European club competition next season but manager Thomas Frank has sounded a cautious note about the team’s chances.
The 2-0 victory left Brentford in 11th place in the Premier League but only two points off eight placed Fulham. There is a chance that as many as 10 English clubs could qualify to play in Europe next season, but Frank warned Brentford’s destiny was not all in their own hands with four fixtures left in their league campaign.
“There is a few things that need to happen; the teams ahead of us need to get less points and we need Manchester City to win the FA Cup,” Frank told reporters after their win at the City Ground with goals from Kevin Schade and Yoane Wissa.
“There’s a few things that we cannot control ourselves,” he added.
“In our last 12 games we have been extremely consistent and performed well. There’s another big game on Sunday which we will do our best to win.”
Brentford host Manchester United next and then complete their campaign with away trips to Ipswich Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers, with a home clash against Fulham sandwiched between.
Asked whether he felt Brentford were ready to compete in Europe, Frank said: “Ask me in three games’ time, then I’ll answer the question.
“We’re growing as a club and the team is growing. We would be more competitive if we didn’t have as many injuries last year.
“We consistently performed at a good level. This season we had one bad game whereas the other season we have had three or four.”
Brentford have never competed in European club competition and Frank told Sky Sports it could prove “tricky” for the club.
“Do you want to be a European club, but what is a European club?” he asked.
“Is that every year? If it is, then it depends on the size of the club, where the budget would need to be fairly linked to it. Money talks.
“The good thing for us is culture, strategy, hard work, clear principles and style of play. All those things we do quite well. It can raise your level and it has raised our level,” Frank said.


China and Japan cruise into Sudirman cup semifinals

Updated 02 May 2025
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China and Japan cruise into Sudirman cup semifinals

  • Japan took three hours to defeat Taiwan 3-0. Hiroki Midorikawa and Arisa Igarashi breezed past Ye Hong Wei and Hu Ling Fang 21-18 21-18 in mixed doubles

XIAMEN: Hosts and defending champions China booked their place in badminton’s Sudirman Cup semifinals with a 3-0 win over Malaysia on Friday, while Japan also advanced after beating Taiwan in the quarter-finals by the same score.
The biennial mixed team championship saw a rematch between world number four mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei from Malaysia and China’s Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping. While the Malaysian pair won at the Paris Games, they couldn’t repeat the feat as they went down 21-17 21-17 in the opener.
Malaysia’s Leong Jun Hao, facing world number one Shi Yu Qi for the first time, was outclassed 21-6 21-14 in the men’s singles. Compatriot Karupathevan Letshanaa later suffered a 21-8 21-7 loss to Tokyo Olympic champion Chen Yu Fei in the women’s singles.
With the result sealed in just under two hours, the men’s and women’s doubles were not contested. Malaysia, who claimed bronze in the last two editions, have now lost all of their five Sudirman Cup meetings to date against 13-times champions China.
Japan took three hours to defeat Taiwan 3-0. Hiroki Midorikawa and Arisa Igarashi breezed past Ye Hong Wei and Hu Ling Fang 21-18 21-18 in mixed doubles.
World number 16 Koki Watanabe overcame seventh-ranked Chou Tien Chen 21-13 20-22 21-14 in the men’s singles, and world number four Akane Yamaguchi beat Wei Chi Hsu 21-9 17-21 21-18 in the women’s singles to seal Japan’s sixth straight semifinal appearance.


Coco Gauff routs Iga Swiatek to reach Madrid final against No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka

Updated 02 May 2025
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Coco Gauff routs Iga Swiatek to reach Madrid final against No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka

  • It was Gauff’s first win over Swiatek on clay
  • In the men’s quarterfinals, Casper Ruud advanced by defeating Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 7-5 to become the first player born in 1990 or later to reach 30 tour-level semifinals on clay

MADRID: Coco Gauff overpowered defending champion Iga Swiatek 6-1, 6-1 to reach the Madrid Open singles final for the first time Thursday.

Gauff broke Swiatek’s serve three times in the first set and twice in the second to cruise to a 64-minute semifinal victory over the second-ranked Swiatek at the clay-court tournament.

Gauff will face top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka, who defeated Elina Svitolina 6-3, 7-5 to reach the Madrid final for the fourth time in her career.

It was Gauff’s first win over Swiatek on clay.

“The mentality that I had in the whole match was aggressive,” the fourth-ranked Gauff said. “Maybe it wasn’t her best level today, but I think I forced her into some awkward positions.”

Swiatek had recovered from losing the first set 0-6 to Madison Keys on Wednesday.

“I couldn’t really get my level up,” the four-time French Open champion said. “Coco played good, but I think it’s on me that I didn’t really move well, I wasn’t ready to play back the shots with heaviness, and with that kind of game. It was pretty bad.”

The last time Swiatek won only two or fewer games in a match — on any surface — was a 6-0, 6-2 loss to Jelena Ostapenko in Birmingham in 2019.

“For me,” Gauff added, “it was just making sure my level stayed the same. In the second, I raised it.”

Sabalenka reaches 3rd straight final

Sabalenka returned to the final after ending Svitolina’s unbeaten run on clay this year — she was 9-0 on the surface in 2025, without losing a set.

Sabalenka won the title in Madrid in 2021 and 2023, and was runner-up to Swiatek last year.

Gauff is 5-4 against Sabalenka and won their only prior meeting on clay, in Rome in 2021. The American also won their most recent meeting, at the 2024 WTA Finals in Riyadh.

By beating Svitolina, Sabalenka became the first player to obtain 30 main-draw wins at WTA events in 2025.

Men’s quarterfinals

In the men’s quarterfinals, Casper Ruud advanced by defeating Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 7-5 to become the first player born in 1990 or later to reach 30 tour-level semifinals on clay.

The 15th-ranked Norwegian had been 0-3 against Medvedev in his career.

“I looked at our stats last night and saw he beat me on grass, outdoor hard and indoor hard. The last surface was clay so I thought, ‘please don’t make it 4-0,’” Ruud said. “I tried to use the surface to my advantage. I thought the level was pretty good from both players, I was impressed with Daniil’s ability to produce power here on clay.”

Ruud will next face Francisco Cerundolo, who rallied to defeat teenager Jakub Mensik 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2.

Cerundolo had beaten top-seeded Alexander Zverev in the previous round.

In another quarterfinal, fifth-ranked Jack Draper defeated Matteo Arnaldi 6-0, 6-4. Arnaldi had beaten Novak Djokovic in the second round. Draper will enter the top 5 in the rankings for the first time thanks to his run in Madrid. He will face 10th-seeded Lorenzo Musetti, who beat Gabriel Diallo 6-4, 6-3.


Scottie Scheffler shoots scorching 61 to lead Byron Nelson

Updated 02 May 2025
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Scottie Scheffler shoots scorching 61 to lead Byron Nelson

  • The world No. 1 is still seeking his first win of the year after racking up seven PGA Tour titles in 202
  • A Dallas native, Scheffler said he wasn’t too broken up about missing last year’s Byron Nelson since he had a good reason — the birth of his first child

MCKINNEY, Texas: Scottie Scheffler shot his best round of the season, a 10-under-par 61, to set the pace on the first day of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson on Thursday in McKinney, Texas.

When Scheffler’s final putt dropped in the late afternoon at TPC Craig Ranch, he had a two-stroke lead over Rico Hoey of the Philippines and Jhonattan Vegas of Venezuela.

The world No. 1 is still seeking his first win of the year after racking up seven PGA Tour titles in 2024. With eight birdies, an eagle and no bogeys Thursday, Scheffler put himself in prime position to break through and win in his home state of Texas for just the second time in his pro career.

A Dallas native, Scheffler said he wasn’t too broken up about missing last year’s Byron Nelson since he had a good reason — the birth of his first child. But he was glad to be back, and he played like it.

“It’s a ton of fun for us to be able to play in front of the fans here at home,” Scheffler said. “Jordan (Spieth) and I love playing here this week. This tournament has meant a lot to us over the years, and so it’s really good to be here this week playing again.”

Scheffler ran off four birdies in a row starting at the third hole. His irons and wedges were dialed in, as he put his tee shot at the par-3 fourth to about 4 feet of the pin and his approach at the par-4 sixth to just 2 feet.

He made a 4-footer for eagle at the par-5 ninth to go out in 7-under 29.

“I hit some good shots to start the round, gave myself some looks, and was able to capitalize with a good iron shot on 3 and hit another iron shot on 4,” Scheffler said. “I kept hitting fairways and greens. Hit that nice pitch into 6, good pitch into 5 as well. Was able to take advantage of the holes I needed to on the front nine, like 5 and 6 are holes you got to take advantage of, and 9 as well.”

Scheffler made just one birdie over the next seven holes before sticking his tee shot at the par-3 17th to 2 feet. He had a 26-foot eagle putt at the par-5 18th that would have given him a round of 60, and it came up just a few feet shy.

Scheffler rocketed past Hoey, who had the early lead with an 8-under 63. He opened on the back nine with eight straight pars before making a 36 1/2-foot eagle putt at No. 18, followed by a run of five birdies between the second and sixth holes.

“The eagle was great,” Hoey said. “I knew it’s a long track and being first off it’s just hard to get your mind and body going. I did that, and felt like I was playing well.”

Vegas sank an eagle of his own, but it came on a par-4. The 40-year-old drained a 44 1/2-foot uphill putt at the 14th hole to go with six total birdies.

Vegas missed his previous four cuts before this week.

“You can’t really get too caught up on playing good or bad,” Vegas said. “Just keep doing your work and at the end of the day believe you’re doing the right things.

“Feel like I’ve been doing the right things, put in the work. We know this: If you do the right things, at some point things are going to turn the right way.”

Tied at 7-under 64 were Patton Kizzire, Will Gordon, Cameron Champ, Michael Thorbjornsen, Eric Cole, Andrew Putnam and Germany’s Stephan Jaeger.

Defending champion Taylor Pendrith of Canada opened with a 4-under 67. Spieth turned in a 2-under 69.