Al-Jazira lead on Day 2 of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship deciding round

Al-Jazira lead on Day 2 of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship deciding round
The final round of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship will conclude on Sunday. UAEJJF
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Updated 12 October 2025
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Al-Jazira lead on Day 2 of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship deciding round

Al-Jazira lead on Day 2 of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship deciding round
  • The eighth round of the competition, taking place in Abu Dhabi, also saw Baniyas in second place and Al-Ain in third

ABU DHABI: The eighth and final round of the second edition of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship continued on Saturday in Abu Dhabi with Al Jazira Jiu-Jitsu Club leading the standing at the end of the second day of competition.

The action took place at the Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City, which also saw Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club finish the day in second place with Al-Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club in third.

Saturday’s competition featured the U-14 and U-16 divisions in the Gi category. Male and female athletes delivered impressive performances, combining technical precision with tactical discipline and strong physical conditioning.

Mohamed Salem Al-Dhaheri, vice chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said: “The intensity of today’s matches and the skill level on display show that the UAE has a strong generation of young athletes ready to take the sport forward.”

He added: “It will be more than a celebration of athletic excellence. It will be a testament to how far the championship has come in promoting jiu-jitsu, developing talent, and reinforcing the UAE’s reputation as a global leader in the sport.”

Majid Saeed Al-Nahdi from Al-Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club, who won gold in the U-14 (45kg) gray belt division, said winning in the final round was particularly special.

“Standing on the podium today feels amazing,” he said. “My dream is to represent the UAE national team at international championships in the future.”

The championship concludes on Sunday with the U-12 and Kids divisions, followed by the awards ceremony to crown the Gi and No-Gi overall champions.


Global gaming business opens regional HQ and esports venue in Saudi Arabia

Global gaming business opens regional HQ and esports venue in Saudi Arabia
Updated 05 November 2025
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Global gaming business opens regional HQ and esports venue in Saudi Arabia

Global gaming business opens regional HQ and esports venue in Saudi Arabia
  • ESL FACEIT Group describes new studio in Riyadh as premier event space of its kind, says it will help cement city’s status as a global leader in esports
  • ‘We are committed to supporting the Kingdom’s vision, tapping into its energetic, young population to fuel major growth,’ says CEO Niccolo Maisto

LONDON: ESL FACEIT Group, a video game entertainment and operations business, opened its new regional headquarters and flagship esports venue in Riyadh on Tuesday, a move it said furthers its commitment to the growth of esports in Saudi Arabia.

It described the studio, which covers more than 1,000 square meters and can accommodate more than 500 guests, as Riyadh’s premier event space of its kind and said it will help solidify the city’s status as a global capital for esports.

It will serve as a hub for esports fans and communities, EFG added, while hosting local tournaments, such as the ESL Saudi Challenge, and international competitions. With more than 300 square meters of LED screens, it said, the venue also offers comprehensive facilities for broadcasters, as well a venue for brand activations and other marketing and media events.

“We are committed to supporting the Kingdom’s vision, tapping into its energetic, young population to fuel major growth,” said CEO Niccolo Maisto.

“With the opening of our new regional headquarters, we are establishing a new stage for our most exciting competitions, while helping to drive key infrastructure and localized content.

“We firmly believe Riyadh is becoming the global capital of esports, and we’re honored to play a leading role.”

EFG said its investment in the new facility is expected to create professional pathways for the development of Saudi talent and creation of jobs across multiple functions, including broadcast production, content creation, and community and event management. This is in line with the aims of Saudi Arabia’s National Games and Esports Strategy to create 39,000 jobs and contribute SR 50 billion ($13.3 billion) to national gross domestic product by 2030.

Mohammed Alasiri, EFG’s director of human resources, said: “Walking into the new facility in Riyadh, I felt the energy of a new chapter and the opportunity for us, as Saudi talent, to shape the future of esports.

“This studio isn’t just a building; it’s a hub for local ambition, global standards and community growth.”

EFG was the official operating partner for the recent Esports World Cup in Riyadh, an eight-week event organizers described as the largest esports and gaming festival in the world. The business said that it has been developing tournament structures, anticheat software, live gaming events, and esports festivals for gamers and fans for more than 20 years, with a combined fan reach of 225 million.

Counter-Strike, a team-based multiplayer, tactical, first-person shooter, is one of the most popular games that feature in contests hosted by EFG, and its predecessor the ESL (Electronic Sports League). Others include Dota 2, League of Legends and Call of Duty.

“We were here for the past, we are doubling down on our investment for the present, and we are committed to building the future of esports” in Saudi Arabia, Maisto said.

“This studio is a physical testament to that commitment, allowing us to effectively bridge local Saudi audiences and competitions with our global fanbase and events, creating highly attractive, long-term engagement opportunities for international and local brands.”