Latest news with #FaisalbinBandar
Leaders
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Leaders
Esports World Cup 2025: Prince Faisal Reveals Tournament's Grand Vision
The global spotlight turns to Riyadh as the city hosts the second edition of the Esports World Cup (EWC). This massive event, running from early July to 24 August, signals Saudi Arabia's serious ambition to become a central hub for the booming esports industry. Furthermore, with a record-breaking prize pool, the tournament attracts the world's best talent for an eight-week celebration of gaming and competition. The Esports World Cup is the successor to the successful Gamers' festival, as the Kingdom has significantly increased its investment, boosting the total prize pool to over $70 million for the 2025 event, a notable increase from the $62.5 million offered in the inaugural 2024 competition. This substantial financial commitment underscores the nation's dedication to fostering sustainable careers for players and clubs, aligning with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to diversify the economy and create new job opportunities. A Unique Vision for Esports Prince Faisal bin Bandar, chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation, shared his passion for the unique nature of esports. 'Your first introduction to the person you're playing against is not their look, background, history, race, gender, but it's their skill in the game,' he stated in a recent interview. He emphasized that esports allows respect to be built on merit and skill alone. Consequently, this creates a level playing field unlike any other sport. The chairman also highlighted the unparalleled connection between players and fans. He described how streamers can give personal shout-outs, creating an intimate bond that is impossible in traditional sports stadiums. 'That connection to the fans…and that ability to really stake your claim are two things that I just love about gaming and Esports,' he added. More Than Just a Tournament The event is more than a series of competitions; it is a cultural festival. It infuses a distinct Saudi style into the global esports scene. 'It's a red carpet, but it's a very Saudi style,' Prince Faisal explained. 'It's part of what we get to bring to the table is a little bit of the fun, a little bit of our style.' This approach aims to make the event more entertaining and engaging than typical tournaments. A prime example of this unique flavor is the 'crushing of the keys' ceremony. In this ritual, the losing team in a key match must hand over their symbolic key to the victors to be crushed. 'That moment when the team hands over their key to the other team to be crushed is the most diabolical moment, and I love every minute of it,' said Prince Faisal. He believes this adds a layer of fun, intrigue, and brutal competition that defines the spirit of esports. Fierce Competition for the Crown The tournament features a diverse lineup of over 20 of the world's most popular games, including Dota 2, League of Legends, Counter-Strike 2, and Fortnite. The main attraction is the Club Championship, which awards a significant portion of the prize money to the top 16 organizations based on their overall performance across all titles. This innovative format encourages clubs to build strong rosters in multiple games. Looking ahead to the finals, Prince Faisal anticipates a tight race. He noted the growth of many teams since last year's event. While homegrown champions Team Falcons are a strong contender, he also pointed to the strength of international powerhouses like Team Liquid, AG Global, and T1. 'I'm not sure I could tell you who's going to win,' he admitted, 'but I can guarantee it's going to be a lot closer than it was last year.' Short link : Post Views: 24
Arab News
24-04-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia launches major dairy cluster in Al-Kharj
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has launched a major dairy industrial cluster in Al-Kharj, reinforcing its ambition to become the region's leading hub for dairy production and food manufacturing. Announced during the Saudi Dairy Forum in Al-Kharj — located approximately 90 km southeast of Riyadh — the initiative is a strategic component of the Kingdom's broader National Industrial Strategy. The cluster spans 1 million sq. m and is equipped with advanced infrastructure tailored to support dairy manufacturing and related industries. Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef, speaking at the forum, underscored the project's role in attracting high-value investments and enhancing the Kingdom's food security. He revealed that the dairy sector reached a market size of SR22 billion ($5.87 billion) in 2024, with exports totaling SR4.8 billion and imports at SR8.9 billion. According to the IMARC Group, the market is projected to grow to $8.4 billion by 2033, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.8 percent from 2025 to 2033. 'This project aligns with the goals of the National Industrial Strategy to position Saudi Arabia as a regional hub for food industries,' Alkhorayef stated, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency. He said it will offer investors access to fully developed industrial land, modern facilities, storage solutions, and a comprehensive support system. In a statement on social media, Alkhorayef expressed gratitude to Riyadh Governor Prince Faisal bin Bandar for his patronage of the forum and for inaugurating the country's first dairy industrial cluster in Al-Kharj Industrial City. The minister noted that Saudi Arabia has achieved 129 percent self-sufficiency in dairy production, underscoring the sector's resilience and capacity for growth. Al-Kharj alone contributes over 70 percent of the Kingdom's total dairy output, supplying both local and regional markets. The new cluster is part of a broader initiative by the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones to establish specialized food industry hubs throughout the Kingdom. The project is expected to foster synergies across the value chain, including animal feed, food additives, packaging, and machinery manufacturing. The Saudi Dairy Forum, hosted by the Al-Kharj Chamber in cooperation with the National Industrial Development Center, brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and agricultural stakeholders. It was held under the patronage of Riyadh Gov, Prince Faisal bin Bandar and attended by Al-Kharj Gov. Prince Fahd bin Mohammed bin Saad bin Abdulaziz. As Saudi Arabia accelerates its push to diversify the economy and achieve food security, the Al-Kharj dairy cluster stands as a milestone in the Kingdom's industrial and agricultural evolution.
Zawya
15-04-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Riyadh Emir launches 28 healthcare projects worth $1.86bln
RIYADH — Emir of Riyadh Prince Faisal bin Bandar graced in Riyadh on Monday the ceremony of launching 28 healthcare projects in the government, private, and non-profit sectors in the region. The projects are estimated to cost a total of more than SR7 billion with a total capacity of over 3,000 beds. The package of projects included projects in Riyadh's three health clusters worth more than SR1.8 billion. The first health cluster includes nine projects, most notably the 500-bed Women's, Maternity and Children's Hospital (the second medical tower) at King Saud Medical City; the 200-bed medical tower at King Salman Hospital; the 200-bed medical tower at Al-Iman Hospital; and the 30-bed kidney building in Al-Aflaj. The project also included the development of four primary healthcare centers in the neighborhoods of Al-Hazm, Badr, Okaz, and Al-Fawaz; the primary healthcare center in Al-Rabwa, which includes nine clinics and 30 intensive care beds in the long-term care hospital; the five-bed urgent care project at Hawtah Bani Tamim Hospital; and the Al-Qassim Charitable Complex for Hemodialysis and Dentistry, which includes 22 dental clinics and 15 hemodialysis chairs. The launched projects also include the expansion project of Tamir Hospital under Ibrahim Al Sultan Charitable Foundation with a capacity of 30 beds, as was a health center in Rawdat Sudair under Al-Babtain Charitable Foundation). The Third Health Cluster projects included nine new projects, most notably the 300-bed Diriyah General Hospital, the Abdul Moneim Al Rashid Healthcare Center, two specialized dental and rehabilitation centers named after Abdul Moneim Al Rashid, the development of the emergency department at Shaqra Hospital, the establishment of a health center in Umm Al-Manasher, the development of outpatient clinics at Shaqra Hospital, the creation of an endoscopy department at Al-Dawadmi Hospital, and the development of the emergency department at Thadiq Hospital. Prince Faisal bin Bandar also inaugurated eight new private sector health projects worth more than SR5 billion, including the 343-bed Madida Medical Care Company, the 30-bed Riyadh Medical Hospital, the 20-bed Arteh Specialized Hospital, and the 10-bed Banan Medical Hospital. For his part, Minister of Health Fahd Al-Jalajel emphasized that these projects are part of the Ministry of Health's efforts to support the health infrastructure and improve the quality of services provided to beneficiaries, embodying the wise leadership's commitment to providing the best levels of healthcare to beneficiaries across the Kingdom. The minister noted that the integration of the public, private, and non-profit sectors contributes to enabling innovation, adopting smart solutions and digital systems, and attracting distinguished investments in medical technology, health research, and capacity building. This will help achieve a healthy and vibrant society, in light of Saudi Vision 2030. It is noteworthy that these projects are part of the Ministry of Health's efforts to enhance investment attractiveness in the health sector and consolidate effective partnerships between the public and private sectors, contributing to building an innovative and sustainable health environment, in line with the objectives of the Health Sector Transformation Program, which stems from the Saudi Vision 2030. © Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Arab News
14-04-2025
- General
- Arab News
King Faisal Prize laureates honored at ceremony in Riyadh
RIYADH: The King Faisal Prize ceremony, held on Monday night under the patronage of King Salman in Riyadh, honored six distinguished laureates whose contributions have significantly advanced their fields and enriched humanity. Held under the auspices of King Salman, Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar handed over the awards to laureates at the event's 47th edition. Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, Makkah's governor, adviser to the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and chairman of the KFP board; several other princes; senior government officials; academics and scientists attended the ceremony at Prince Sultan's Grand Hall at the Al-Faisaliah Center. Prince Turki Al-Faisal, the chairman of the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, thanked the dignitaries for attending and congratulated the laureates. Scholars and experts in service to Islam, Islamic studies, medicine, and science gathered in the Saudi capital to celebrate excellence, knowledge, and service. This year's Service to Islam Prize was awarded jointly to two laureates from Saudi Arabia. The Tebyan Qur'an Project by Liajlehum Association for Serving People with Disabilities was recognized for developing the world's first complete Qur'anic interpretation in sign language, making the sacred text accessible to the deaf community and promoting inclusivity in Islamic education. The second laureate, Sami Abdullah Almaqlouth, was honored for his outstanding efforts in mapping and preserving historic Islamic sites through his work at the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information. His documentation supports cultural preservation and public awareness of Islamic heritage. The Islamic Studies Prize, awarded for archaeological studies in the Arabian Peninsula, was also shared between two scholars. Prof. Saad Abdulaziz Alrashid, a leading Saudi archaeologist, was recognized for his foundational contributions to the study of Islamic inscriptions and archaeological heritage. His work has laid the groundwork for a new generation of scholars and brought international attention to the region's historic richness. Prof. Said Faiz Alsaid, another prominent Saudi figure in the field, was honored for his comparative studies of Arabian epigraphy and his contributions to decoding the ancient civilizations of the peninsula, bridging pre-Islamic history with Islamic archaeology. The Arabic Language and Literature Prize on the topic of studies of identity in Arabic literature was withheld this year as the works nominated did not meet the standards of the selection committee. The Medicine Prize, awarded for cellular therapy, went to Prof. Michel Sadelain, director of the Center for Cell Engineering at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He was recognized for his pioneering work in CAR-T cell therapy, a breakthrough cancer treatment that involves genetically modifying immune cells to target and destroy tumors. His research has opened new possibilities in treating leukemia and other previously incurable diseases, marking a milestone in medical innovation. The Science Prize, focusing on physics this year, was awarded to Prof. Sumio Iijima of Japan. Known as the father of carbon nanotubes, his 1991 discovery of these cylindrical nanostructures revolutionized the field of nanotechnology. Carbon nanotubes are now used in cutting-edge applications across electronics, materials science, energy storage, and even biomedicine. His discovery laid the foundation for countless technological innovations in the 21st century. The KFP was established in 1977, and was awarded for the first time in 1979 in three categories — service to Islam, Islamic studies, and Arabic language and literature. Two additional categories were introduced in 1981 — medicine and science. The first medicine prize was awarded in 1982, and in science two years later. Since its inception in 1977 and its first awards in 1979, the KFP has recognized 301 laureates from 45 nationalities who have made outstanding contributions to Islam, knowledge, and humanity. Each of the five prize categories is endowed with SR750,000 ($200,000), a 24-carat gold medal and a certificate signed by Prince Khalid Al-Faisal.
Saudi Gazette
14-04-2025
- Health
- Saudi Gazette
Riyadh Emir launches 28 healthcare projects worth SR7 billion
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Emir of Riyadh Prince Faisal bin Bandar graced in Riyadh on Monday the ceremony of launching 28 healthcare projects in the government, private, and non-profit sectors in the region. The projects are estimated to cost a total of more than SR7 billion with a total capacity of over 3,000 beds. The package of projects included projects in Riyadh's three health clusters worth more than SR1.8 billion. The first health cluster includes nine projects, most notably the 500-bed Women's, Maternity and Children's Hospital (the second medical tower) at King Saud Medical City; the 200-bed medical tower at King Salman Hospital; the 200-bed medical tower at Al-Iman Hospital; and the 30-bed kidney building in Al-Aflaj. The project also included the development of four primary healthcare centers in the neighborhoods of Al-Hazm, Badr, Okaz, and Al-Fawaz; the primary healthcare center in Al-Rabwa, which includes nine clinics and 30 intensive care beds in the long-term care hospital; the five-bed urgent care project at Hawtah Bani Tamim Hospital; and the Al-Qassim Charitable Complex for Hemodialysis and Dentistry, which includes 22 dental clinics and 15 hemodialysis chairs. The launched projects also include the expansion project of Tamir Hospital under Ibrahim Al Sultan Charitable Foundation with a capacity of 30 beds, as was a health center in Rawdat Sudair under Al-Babtain Charitable Foundation). The Third Health Cluster projects included nine new projects, most notably the 300-bed Diriyah General Hospital, the Abdul Moneim Al Rashid Healthcare Center, two specialized dental and rehabilitation centers named after Abdul Moneim Al Rashid, the development of the emergency department at Shaqra Hospital, the establishment of a health center in Umm Al-Manasher, the development of outpatient clinics at Shaqra Hospital, the creation of an endoscopy department at Al-Dawadmi Hospital, and the development of the emergency department at Thadiq Hospital. Prince Faisal bin Bandar also inaugurated eight new private sector health projects worth more than SR5 billion, including the 343-bed Madida Medical Care Company, the 30-bed Riyadh Medical Hospital, the 20-bed Arteh Specialized Hospital, and the 10-bed Banan Medical Hospital. For his part, Minister of Health Fahd Al-Jalajel emphasized that these projects are part of the Ministry of Health's efforts to support the health infrastructure and improve the quality of services provided to beneficiaries, embodying the wise leadership's commitment to providing the best levels of healthcare to beneficiaries across the Kingdom. The minister noted that the integration of the public, private, and non-profit sectors contributes to enabling innovation, adopting smart solutions and digital systems, and attracting distinguished investments in medical technology, health research, and capacity building. This will help achieve a healthy and vibrant society, in light of Saudi Vision 2030. It is noteworthy that these projects are part of the Ministry of Health's efforts to enhance investment attractiveness in the health sector and consolidate effective partnerships between the public and private sectors, contributing to building an innovative and sustainable health environment, in line with the objectives of the Health Sector Transformation Program, which stems from the Saudi Vision 2030.
