Latest news with #MunaAlFalasi
Khaleej Times
26-05-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Dubai pushes for more women in Esports, gaming with new support initiatives
Dubai is stepping up efforts to bring more women into the spotlight in the world of esports, according to an official. Empowering women — both through visibility and financial support — is a key step toward seeing more female gamers represent the UAE in international Esports championships, according to Muna Al Falasi, director of Esports and Strategy at the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). Al Falasi acknowledged that esports and competitive gaming is still a relatively new concept in Emirati culture, especially for women. However, she stressed that DET is working to change that. She noted that they want to encourage Emirati women to step forward and take on the challenge, noting the widespread popularity of gaming among the youth. 'We're strengthening Dubai's position through government support and helping young talent participate in all the gaming festivals we organise," she added. In a historic move last November, the UAE sent its first group of female gamers to compete against Saudi Arabia — currently the region's largest esports market. This milestone marked a significant moment for Emirati women entering the competitive gaming space. Al Falasi made these remarks during a panel discussion on the opening day of the Arab Media Summit, where she was joined by Abdullah Bin Baz, founder and CEO of Baz Station, and Mohammed Al Bsimi, founder of Saudi's True Gaming agency. The three-day summit brings together around 8,000 media professionals from across the Arab world. Adding to the conversation, Mohammed highlighted a broader cultural gap in the region. 'The problem is that we do not have a culture of attending esports competitions,' he said. 'We need to attend esports competitions, get used to it and build that habit.' Despite these challenges, the UAE sees great potential in esports and is actively investing in its growth. Just last month, the UAE Esports Federation launched a first-of-its-kind e-gaming championship for university students across the country. Further incentive comes in the form of the recently announced 'Dubai Gaming Visa' — a 10-year residency initiative designed to attract gamers and esports professionals to live, work, and grow their careers in Dubai.
Hi Dubai
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hi Dubai
Dubai GameExpo Summit 2025 Draws Global Gaming Leaders and Boosts Regional Industry Growth
Dubai GameExpo Summit 2025 brought together over 1,400 gaming and esports professionals from 70 countries, reinforcing the UAE's growing status as a regional hub for the global gaming industry. Hosted at the Dubai World Trade Centre as part of the wider Dubai Esports and Games Festival (DEF), the summit was powered by Pocket Gamer Connects in collaboration with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). Over 2,000 meetings were facilitated through the MeetToMatch platform, as attendees explored the rapidly expanding gaming ecosystem across the Middle East and North Africa. The two-day event featured more than 75 speakers, including industry leaders and government officials, who led sessions on artificial intelligence, web3 technologies, growth strategies, and user acquisition. One of the summit's key highlights was the launch of the PitchPlay competition, presented in partnership with DMCC Gaming Centre. The contest gave promising game start-ups a stage to present their innovations. The top prize of AED55,000 was awarded to Martin Lothe Saeterdal's studio, Filiokus, for its engaging approach to mobile games that make maths fun. The Very Big Indie Pitch, a returning crowd favourite, also spotlighted rising indie developers and connected them with seasoned experts. Muna Al Falasi, Director of Esports and Games Strategy at Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, called the summit a 'pivotal moment' in Dubai's journey to becoming a global gaming leader. She noted the event's role in accelerating digital innovation, supporting SMEs, and creating career opportunities in the sector. With international participation and a clear focus on innovation, the summit underscored Dubai's strategic push to lead the gaming and esports space across the region. News Source: Emirates News Agency
