Amman, January 6, 2025: As part of its strategy to enhance the gaming and esports sector and position Jordan as a hub for game development in the region, and in line with its ongoing commitment to advancing the esports ecosystem in the Kingdom, Zain Jordan's Zain eSports Jo Center organized 14 esports events and tournaments in 2024. These events featured some of the most popular and widely-played electronic games globally, garnering 2.65 million views on the center's platforms. The center also signed strategic agreements and sponsored key events to elevate the sector, achieve tangible results for the national economy, and train and nurture Jordanian talents in the field.
To further enhance Jordan's representation in international and global esports tournaments, while continuing to nurture and export professional talent, the center signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Jordan Esports Federation (JEF) in 2024. Through this agreement, the center sponsored all the activities and events organized and launched by the federation and provided the necessary support for teams representing Jordan in various international and global tournaments. This partnership aims to further develop players' skills, host events focusing on esports and gaming, increase job opportunities, and empower young Jordanian talent to compete on local, regional, and international levels.
As part of its contributions to showcasing Jordanian talents and enhancing their competitiveness, the Zain eSports Jo Center organized the "PUBG Mobile 2024" tournament, which saw the participation of 64 teams with 256 players. The center also organized the "FC Mobile" tournament, held virtually, with the participation of 120 players.
Committed to supporting major events and being present at key occasions across the Kingdom, Zain, through its esports center, served as a strategic partner for the "Future of Esports" conference. The conference was organized by the Jordan Gaming Lab in collaboration with the King Abdullah II Fund for Development and the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship. The conference activities were held across multiple governorates, including Amman, Umm Qais, Petra, and Aqaba.
The center also sponsored the "Red Bull Solo Q" competition, which saw the participation of 166 players. His Highness Prince Omar bin Faisal crowned the winner, Waleed Ismail, who earned an all-expenses-paid trip to attend the global finals of the "Red Bull League of its Own" tournament in Paris, France. Additionally, the center served as a strategic partner for the Toyota Gazoo Racing Digital Cup 2024 finals for the Middle East and North Africa, held at "The Arc" in the King Hussein Business Park over three days. Zain participated in the sponsors' competition, securing second place. The finals were attended by 800 enthusiasts and professional players, with 608,000 live views on YouTube.
The center also sponsored the "Retro Games Fest," which welcomed 1,500 participants and showcased classic electronic games like "Mario" and "Pac-Man." The event included an exhibition of iconic gaming consoles from previous generations, such as the Sega, Sakhr Computer, Atari, and Nintendo systems.
To raise awareness among youth, parents, schools, and various sectors about the importance and positive impact of electronic games, especially given the growing popularity of the sector, the Zain eSports Jo Center, in collaboration with JEF and under the patronage of His Highness Prince Omar bin Faisal, held a panel discussion at the Zain Innovation Campus (ZINC). The session brought together experts, decision-makers, professionals, enthusiasts, and gamers to discuss the evolution of Jordan's gaming industry since 2020. Topics included the sector's rapid growth, investment volume, workforce in game development, job opportunities in the industry, and its economic impact on various countries. The discussion also highlighted the role of advanced technology in developing electronic games and the importance of creating a comfortable playing environment to maintain physical and mental well-being while managing time effectively.
On the educational front, the Esports Management Academy—a collaboration between Zain, Maysalward, and ibMedia, pioneers in game development—graduated its first cohort of participants from its inaugural training course. The graduation ceremony, held at Al-Hussein Technical University and attended by His Highness Prince Omar bin Faisal, celebrated 11 students passionate about esports who aimed to enhance their skills. The 30-hour program covered theoretical and practical training led by top trainers and experts in esports management. Topics included team management, esports event planning, and marketing, alongside addressing challenges in the gaming industry. Graduates received certifications accredited by Italy's Vigamus Academy, specializing in gaming education.
As part of its commitment to fostering an infrastructure conducive to innovation, Zain, through its esports center, invited professional and amateur gamers, as well as content creators, to attend the launch event of the official "League of Legends" Arabic servers in the Middle East and North Africa. The event, hosted by Riot Games, offered an exceptional gaming experience with reduced ping times, an Arabic user interface, and redesigned characters with Arabic voiceovers. The launch included live performances and an exclusive opportunity to experience the Arabic version of the game for the first time.