The Riyadh 2023 Global Esports Games drew to a thrilling close on Saturday, marking the end of a spectacular showcase of talent, camaraderie and global unity. With five Gold medals awarded and a resounding sense of camaraderie, the event served as a testament to the unifying power of esports and the Global Esports Federation’s #worldconnected spirit.
In his closing ceremony speech, Paul J. Foster, GEF CEO, expressed gratitude to the athletes, gamers and the entire #worldconnected gaming community. “You are now part of our proud history and your own limitless future,” he remarked. Paul extended gratitude to the Saudi Esports Federation for their generous hospitality and the remarkable staging of the event in Riyadh.
The #GEG23 witnessed remarkable performances across various esports titles, with the Dominican Republic claiming the inaugural Gold of the event in Street Fighter 6 and Ukraine’s PUBG MOBILE team securing an emotional Gold on Friday. The Dota 2 Open saw a supremely talented Kazakhstan side emerge victorious, while Malaysia claimed the Dota 2 Women’s title, topping the overall Medal Table. The eFootball 2024 event concluded with a nail-biting match, with Jordan securing the championship against Iran.
Reflecting on the success of the event, Paul emphasised, “To the millions of fans watching and the billions of gamers in the world, thank you for reminding us how to have fun and live our universal values of inclusion and fair play.”
The Riyadh 2023 Global Esports Games marked the GEF’s fourth anniversary and concluded with an eye towards the future, emphasising a commitment to innovation. Looking ahead to 2024, the Global Esports Games will be hosted in China, promising another thrilling chapter in the world of esports.