HRH Prince Faisal Privately Assures IESF Members That the Kingdom is Safe for Visitors

HRH Prince Faisal Bin Bandar Bin Sultan Al Saud, in his capacity as president of both the Saudi Esports Federation and the International Esports Federation (IESF), has issued private assurances to IESF members regarding the safety of visitors to Saudi Arabia. This communication serves to address growing concerns surrounding the safety of LGBTQ+ players, staff, and fans planning to attend the World Esports Championship, which is scheduled to take place in Riyadh in November 2024.

The correspondence emphasizes that Saudi Arabia maintains low rates of violent crime and asserts that the nation is committed to the protection of all individuals regardless of their background. Prince Faisal highlights the successful, incident-free execution of previous international events held in the Kingdom, such as Formula 1, Formula E, the Dakar Rally, and various high-profile entertainment and sporting spectacles, as evidence of the country's capability to host large-scale global gatherings safely.

While the message underscores a commitment to preventing any behavior that threatens the dignity or safety of visitors, it also includes a request for attendees to respect local cultural norms and values. The primary objective of these assurances is to mitigate apprehension among the international esports community and ensure the smooth participation of global talent in the upcoming championship. By framing the Kingdom as a welcoming and secure environment, the leadership aims to maintain the integrity and inclusivity of the event while navigating the complex intersection of international sporting standards and local cultural expectations.