logo
MENATech Entertainment powers Middle East's esports rise with education, tournaments, and national collaboration

MENATech Entertainment powers Middle East's esports rise with education, tournaments, and national collaboration

Zawya4 days ago
Dubai, UAE – As the Middle East cements its place on the global esports map, MENATech Entertainment (a GGTech company), an international esports and gaming company, is playing a central role in accelerating the region's digital entertainment ambitions. With Saudi Arabia and the UAE leading government-backed strategies to grow gaming into a multi-billion-dollar sector, MENATech is bridging global best practices with local talent development, grassroots tournaments, and strategic partnerships.
Saudi Arabia's National Gaming and Esports Strategy projects US$13.3 billion in economic impact by 2030. As part of its broader 2030 economic transformation, the Kingdom plans to create 39,000 esports-related jobs, driven by large-scale investments and a national push to become a global hub for competitive gaming. Meanwhile, the UAE's Dubai Programme for Gaming 2033 aims to position the city among the world's top 10 gaming hubs by 2033, contributing $1 billion to GDP and creating 30,000 new jobs. These initiatives have created fertile ground for companies like MENATech to scale up their impact.
'The Middle East is no longer a frontier market for gaming and esports; it's an engine of innovation, talent, and long-term opportunity,' said Mario Pérez, CEO of MENATech Entertainment. 'From launching GAMERGY MENA to building educational programs and regional leagues, our on-the-ground work across the region reflects the scale of what's possible here. Our global know-how, local partnerships, and community-driven development are helping ensure that the region is leading the global esports conversation. With visionary policies, tech-savvy youth, and rapidly expanding digital infrastructure, this is a dynamic launchpad for scaling the global gaming industry, now valued at $200 billion.'
Aligning with national economic visions, in early 2025, MENATech brought one of the world's most iconic gaming festivals, GAMERGY, to the region for the first time. Held in Cairo, GAMERGY MENA drew over 40,000 attendees and featured top-tier tournaments in titles like Valorant, PUBG Mobile, League of Legends, and Rocket League. Supported by the Egyptian Ministry of Youth & Sports, IMKAN Misr, Samsung, and Red Bull, the event marked a pivotal moment for regional esports, with prize pools exceeding EGP 2 million.
In partnership with Riot Games, the gaming firm launched the Strike Arabia Championship, the first official regional Valorant league. Spanning the GCC, Levant, Iraq, Egypt, and North Africa, the competition included both amateur and professional divisions, with top players advancing to European LAN finals. This structure created a bridge between regional players and international stages, giving local talent a platform to shine.
In Saudi Arabia, MENATech contributed to the initial creation of the Saudi Esports Academy, laying the groundwork for a more formal and on-site educational model. The company also leads the UNIVERSITY Esports program across the MENA region, empowering students through workshops and careers in broadcasting, event management, and digital marketing. Historically backed by global brands like Amazon and HP Omen, the initiative is one of the few in the region linking competitive gaming with long-term career pathways.
With one of the world's youngest populations, the appetite for competitive gaming is massive in the region. That demand is matched by cultural momentum, where gaming is considered a viable, respected career. Dubai is already home to over 350 gaming companies, including 260 specialised developers. Major events like the Dubai Esports Festival and the development of innovation hubs such as the DMCC Gaming Centre are supported by the issuance of gaming-related resident visas.
MENATech continues to differentiate itself by integrating deeply into the region's ecosystem. Rather than operate as an external player, the company works alongside public and private entities to build lasting programs and infrastructure. Its approach is not just to host events, but to develop skills, create jobs, and inspire innovation.
With the Esports World Cup returning to Riyadh in 2025 and more international gaming firms entering the Gulf, the spotlight on the Middle East has never been stronger. MENATech is focused on scaling its education programs, growing its tournament portfolio, and building a sustainable esports economy. Through strategic alignment with national initiatives, mega events, and investments in talent development, the company is helping position the gaming industry as a key driver of economic diversification and cultural innovation across the Middle East.
About GGTech Entertainment
GGTech Entertainment is an international company operating in Europe, North America, South America, the Middle East and North Africa, dedicated to the development of innovative leisure, entertainment and educational projects through gaming, esports and technology. Focusing on innovation, applied technology and interactive environments, the company offers a wide range of technological solutions to promote the development of society and provide its users with a highly customisable and high quality gaming experience.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

'Dubai is always ahead': Mallathon to help stay fit in summer heat, say athletes
'Dubai is always ahead': Mallathon to help stay fit in summer heat, say athletes

Khaleej Times

time20 minutes ago

  • Khaleej Times

'Dubai is always ahead': Mallathon to help stay fit in summer heat, say athletes

A wave of excitement is building among UAE residents and local athletes as they prepare for the inaugural ' Dubai Mallathon' initiative. The initiative launched by Sheikh Hamdan, which transforms the city's iconic shopping malls into indoor fitness tracks daily from 7am to 10am, has generated tremendous enthusiasm from community members seeking new, climate-controlled spaces for their morning workouts. The innovative initiative offers residents a unique solution to maintain their fitness routines during the challenging summer months, providing air-conditioned environments that shield fitness enthusiasts from the region's intense heat. Ras Al Khaimah's accomplished long-distance runner, Abdulla AlShehhi, expressed his enthusiasm for the programme. 'The Dubai Mallathon initiative marks a significant step in promoting a healthy lifestyle during the summer, especially for us as runners. Transforming shopping malls into walking and running tracks is a smart idea that provides a safe and comfortable environment, encouraging everyone to stay consistent even in hot weather," he said. AlShehhi, who is currently preparing for the upcoming Sydney Marathon at the end of August, sees the timing as perfect. 'This initiative couldn't have come at a better time. It offers an ideal indoor environment to train effectively, beat the summer heat, and stay committed to our fitness goals throughout the season,' he added. The runner praised Dubai's forward-thinking approach, 'Initiatives like this prove that Dubai is always ahead when it comes to integrated community thinking. I'm personally excited to take part, and I encourage everyone to take advantage of this unique opportunity.' Talal from Sharjah, who practices various sports including swimming and running, highlighted the practical benefits of the initiative, 'Running inside malls provides an air-conditioned and suitable environment for exercising away from harsh weather conditions, especially in summer. It also provides a level and safe surface and allows friends and family to participate together. It improves heart and muscle health and helps burn calories.' Running coach Fuad Naser, founder of the 5:30 RUN club in the UAE, praised the initiative's innovative approach, 'The 'Dubai Mallathon' is a brilliant and well-conceived initiative that showcases Dubai's commitment to public health and innovative solutions.' Naser emphasized the programme's broader impact: 'It effectively addresses a unique environmental challenge while promoting a vibrant, active, and connected community. HH Faz3's leadership in launching such a practical and beneficial programme is highly commendable, setting a new benchmark for urban wellness initiatives.' The coach concluded with high praise for the initiative's contribution to Dubai's reputation: 'It's a fantastic step towards keeping Dubai truly the 'best place to live, work, and visit.'' The Dubai Mallathon represents a creative solution to the UAE's climate challenges, offering residents and visitors alike an opportunity to maintain active lifestyles year-round. By repurposing existing infrastructure during off-peak hours, the initiative demonstrates Dubai's commitment to innovative urban planning and community wellness. The program is expected to attract fitness enthusiasts of all levels, from casual walkers to serious athletes preparing for international competitions, creating a diverse and inclusive fitness community within the city's retail spaces. As announced by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, the Dubai Mallathon initiative transforms shopping centers into fitness venues during morning hours, reinforcing Dubai's position as a leader in innovative community health programs.

Brand Dubai, General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs partner to highlight Dubai's summertime attractions
Brand Dubai, General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs partner to highlight Dubai's summertime attractions

Zawya

timean hour ago

  • Zawya

Brand Dubai, General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs partner to highlight Dubai's summertime attractions

Dialling up the excitement surrounding the #DubaiDestinations summer campaign, Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the Government of Dubai Media Office, has partnered with the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai to highlight the very best of Dubai's summertime experiences for visitors. As part of the initiative, people approaching the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs will be greeted with souvenir 'passports' introducing them to the city's myriad summer experiences in an engaging and fun format. Using a QR code provided in the passport, visitors can tap into the Dubai Destinations website to access interactive guides and curated itineraries designed to help them explore Dubai through the summer. Slated to go online on July 24, the activation is part of wider efforts to promote Dubai's diverse tourism offerings and enhance the overall visitor experience, aligning with Brand Dubai's commitment to showcasing the city's notable attractions and multicultural milieu. The unique initiative is expected to enable thousands of residents and visitors to make the most of their Dubai sojourns with their families and loved ones. For more details and related content, visit @BrandDubai on Instagram and #DubaiDestinations.

John Dory Seafood Market review: Five dishes to try at Belarusian brand's first Dubai outpost
John Dory Seafood Market review: Five dishes to try at Belarusian brand's first Dubai outpost

The National

time2 hours ago

  • The National

John Dory Seafood Market review: Five dishes to try at Belarusian brand's first Dubai outpost

Tucked into one of the deeper nooks of Dubai Festival City Mall's The Market Island, a modern food hall with communal seating, this Belarusian seafood brand is making its first international foray after more than a decade of service in Minsk. You can tell straight away this is one of the more ambitious offerings in any UAE shopping mall food hall. It's sprawling and it looks great. There's an open kitchen, a raw bar serving oysters, and a sit-down space with a mix of couple and group seating all tied together in a light, well-paced layout. The kitchen snakes through the restaurant, with the counter finished in soft green and engraved with fish, a quiet design detail that runs throughout. Focused on serving seafood nose to tail but relaxed in its execution, John Dory Seafood Market delivers some of the best fish you'll find in any mall outlet. It is family-friendly and does what a good mall restaurant should: make you forget you're in a mall. Here are five dishes to try. Oysters (various prices) No oysters taste the same, and that's the point of John Dory's offerings. While sold individually, a recommended idea is to curate your own set and explore the differences in brine, texture and depth. The selection is thoughtful with oysters sourced from France to Fujairah. Served on ice, each has a distinct character. The Gillardeau No 2 (Dh45) offers a meaty depth, while the Dibba Bay No 3 (Dh18), the most local of the lot, is crisp, saline and fresh. The Speciale Krystale No 2 (Dh32) is buttery and rich while the Fine de Claire Geay No 2 (Dh13) is clean and delicate, and best saved for the end depending on how you sequence your tray. Other options include the Fines de Normandie No 3 (Dh10), Speciale Poget No 3 (Dh37) and Speciale Belle-Ile No 3 (Dh25). At Dh180 for all seven, it's best shared with friends. Seychellois yellowfin tuna tiradito (Dh60) Bright, tart and dressed for the occasion. This is a raw dish that's all about balance and texture. Thinly-sliced tuna is expertly laid over a tangy tomato ponzu, garnished with crisp potato straws and a drizzle of Japanese mayo blended with kimchi. The acidity is sharp enough to cut the fat, while the crunch of the straws adds contrast. It reminded me a little of more upmarket crevice. It's beautiful to look at and wonderfully refreshing. Carabineros prawns (Dh300) This is the most indulgent item on the menu, and it announces itself with a bold, no-frills presentation. If you need a reminder that John Dory is, at its core, a seafood fishmonger restaurant, then this is it. Large, vivid red prawns arrive lightly grilled and drizzled with lime. It is all about freshness here. The flesh is sweet and tender. But the real treat, and this is not for the faint-hearted, is the head. That is where you will find the rich umami with all its flavour and fat. Yes, it is pricey but for seafood connoisseurs but this is a treat you owe yourself. Octopus hotdog (Dh75) Now, this is a case where looks can deceive. It looks like a roll with a big piece of octopus in the middle. But once you bite into it, you're caught off guard in a good way. While the tentacle is fresh, smoky and soft, the sauce is the real standout. A base layer of Japanese mayo and kimchi sits underneath the tentacle, while a layer of melted cheese ties it all together. The sauce is spicy enough and coats everything just right. It is one of the most surprising dishes on the menu. Bold and satisfying and Dubai exclusive, this treat could be the UAE outpost's calling card. Dry-aged tuna fillet (Dh65) Years of eating canned tuna as a student meant I rarely gave the fish much thought, so I approached this dish with some hesitation. This version is more considered. White yellowfin tuna from the Seychelles is aged in-house for 10 to 14 days, then lightly seared and sliced into neat, delicate strips. The ageing gives it a firmer, meatier texture, somewhere between sashimi and a lean steak. The minimal seasoning allows the concentrated flavour to come through. It is slightly nutty, with a gentle umami depth that lingers. While it may not convert the sceptical, it shows how tuna can be reimagined in an elegant way. Save or splurge Dishes range from Dh40 to Dh300, with plenty on offer for diners of different appetites and varying passion for crustaceans. The value holds up, especially when you consider the sourcing and technique involved. Between the fish counter, raw bar and dining space, John Dory Seafood Market shows what a premium food hall can be. It proves that accessible, well-executed, even polished dining can exist in a mall without losing integrity. For those wanting to take some of that experience home, the adjacent seafood store sells pre-marinated fillets and ready-to-bake meals. John Dory Seafood Market at Dubai Festival City Mall is open daily from 12pm to 11pm. Reservations can be made by calling 052 240 3898.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store