Saudi Arabia is home to over 10 million female gamers, and HRH Princess Aljohara bint Turki Al Saud, a strategic planning specialist at the Saudi Esports Federation, is determined to empower her fellow countrywomen to pursue careers in gaming.
Saudi Arabia’s National Gaming and Esports Strategy, launched by HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aims to enhance the quality of life for gamers in the country. By 2023, it is projected to contribute around $13 billion to Saudi Arabia’s GDP and create nearly 40,000 new job opportunities. With 48% of Saudi Arabia’s gamers being female, women will play a crucial role in the growth of the esports ecosystem.
HRH Princess Aljohara has been an avid gamer since her childhood, playing a wide range of games from retro classics like Crash and Pepsiman to modern titles like PUBG and Call of Duty. However, she recognizes that gaming offers more than just entertainment, especially with the rising popularity of esports. As the strategic planning specialist at the Saudi Esports Federation, she is determined to see Saudi Arabian women forge careers in the esports industry, just as she has.
In the past, gaming was often seen as a waste of time by families and parents who were unaware of its potential as a career. However, attitudes have changed, and now almost every household in Saudi Arabia has gaming devices, such as Xbox, PlayStation, PC, or smartphones. HRH Princess Aljohara believes that all gamers, regardless of gender, are welcome in the organized gaming and esports community in Saudi Arabia and can benefit from turning their passion into a career.
As the chairperson of the Women and Equity Committee at the Arab Esports Federation, HRH Princess Aljohara actively works to empower women in esports and supports their pursuit of careers within the industry. The committee is dedicated to advancing females in all sectors of the esports ecosystem, including players, organizers, and other roles.
HRH Princess Aljohara’s involvement with the Saudi Esports Federation began in 2017 when she joined the organization’s esports department. This experience provided her with valuable insights into organizing esports tournaments and helped shape her current role in strategy. Her mother, who once saw gaming as a waste of time, now recognizes the potential of the gaming and esports industry, reflecting the changing perception of gaming over the years.
To further showcase the opportunities in gaming, HRH Princess Aljohara took her mother to Gamers8, the largest gaming and esports festival worldwide. The event, organized by the Saudi Esports Federation, features elite tournaments, live music concerts, and over 1,000 activities and attractions. Witnessing the scale and impact of the festival helped HRH Princess Aljohara’s mother realize that gaming can indeed be a career path and create numerous job opportunities.
Passionate about gaming, HRH Princess Aljohara enjoys being an employee of the Saudi Esports Federation. She also loves watching livestream esports tournaments and believes that anyone can be a gamer and make progress in the industry. Her own career has inspired her female friends to become gamers, showcasing the potential for others to turn their passion into a profession.
The Saudi Esports Federation has launched several initiatives to support and elevate female gamers. For example, they organized an all-women CS:GO tournament at Gamers Without Borders, the largest charitable esports event globally, to boost the visibility of women in esports and gaming. The Saudi eLeague also features several all-female teams, and HRH Princess Aljohara hopes to see more events and opportunities for women to participate.
Creating a safe and comfortable environment for women in public gaming spaces is another important aspect for HRH Princess Aljohara. While many women gamers feel at ease streaming behind a screen, she believes in empowering them to engage more publicly. This increased participation extends beyond gaming and includes other areas of the esports ecosystem, such as game development, where young women can utilize their creative and artistic talents.
Increasing female engagement in esports is not only crucial for Saudi Arabia’s goal of becoming a global gaming and esports hub but also for fostering cultural exchange. International players engaging with Saudi players can gain insights into Saudi culture, helping to open up the kingdom to the world.
When asked about the future of Saudi Arabian women in gaming, HRH Princess Aljohara envisions endless possibilities. She believes that this is just the beginning and that the future holds tremendous opportunities for women in the gaming industry.
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Source: DOTESPORTS
