Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan.

:: Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan is the president of the Saudi Arabian Federation for Electronics and Intellectual Sports (SAFEIS), tasked with creating a world-class, first-of-its-kind public and private eSports federation, culture and infrastructure in the Kingdom.

As the son of the former Saudi Arabian ambassador to the US, Prince Faisal spent much of his early years in the US where he graduated from Baylor University, Waco, Texas in 2003 with a BA in telecommunications.

In 2005, Prince Faisal returned full time to Saudi Arabia and took a lead role in managing his family’s private-sector business affairs. Later in 2012, with the environment close to his heart, Prince Faisal founded Saker Al Jazirah (SAJ), a Saudi Arabian company focused on recycling, waste management and environmental services within the Kingdom.

Currently leading the charge in the rise of eSports in the Kingdom, SAFEIS and Global eSport Resources pledged their commitment to the growth of the eSports community and industry in the Kingdom.

Last March, 6,000 citizens and residents of the GCC countries participated in — and 64 finalists qualified for — Tuesday’s inaugural GSA FIFA 18 eWorld Cup at the Bay X conference center at King Abdullah Economic City, where gamers will compete for a total prize of SR1 million ($266,667).

Prince Faisal heralded Tuesday’s inaugural event as a platform where players could shine while stimulating the job market within the community.

He praised the talent and skill in Saudi Arabia, from gamers to graphic designers and coders.