RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tala Al-Mazrou made history after winning gold in the eFootball competition at the 3rd Asian Youth Games 2025 in Bahrain — becoming the first Saudi female athlete to claim a gold medal in the history of the Asian Games.
The milestone marks a major breakthrough for Saudi women in esports, highlighting the rapid progress of female athletes under the support and guidance of the Saudi Esports Federation.
A graduate of the Saudi Esports Academy’s FIFA program, Al-Mazrou dominated the tournament with an unbeaten record, concluding her run with a commanding performance in the final. Her journey in esports began through the Schools eLeague on EAFC, where her standout performances helped her qualify for the online stage and later the Saudi eLeague. She went on to represent the Kingdom in the Arab eLeague on eFootball.
At the Asian Youth Games, Al-Mazrou showcased exceptional skill and composure against Asia’s top youth players. She defeated Laos’ Viengxila Thammavong in the semifinals before securing the gold medal with a clean three-game victory over Thailand’s Supawadee Dunyachit in the final.
“Tala Al-Mazrou is more than a champion; she is a pioneer and a symbol of the ambitious spirit of the Saudi youth,” said Rawan Al-Butairi, CEO of the Saudi Esports Federation.
“This gold medal, the first by a Saudi woman in the history of the Asian Youth Games, reflects the Kingdom’s growing leadership in the global esports arena. This milestone proves that our investment in structured talent development, from the grassroots Schools eLeague to the professional academy level, is yielding world-class athletes. Tala has set the benchmark and opened the door for countless other young Saudi women to pursue their dreams in competitive gaming.”
The Saudi Esports Federation said it remains committed to supporting local talent, providing clear pathways for aspiring athletes such as Al-Mazrou. The federation emphasized that this achievement underscores the success of its vision to build a sustainable ecosystem that nurtures talent and ensures the Kingdom continues to lead in the global esports landscape.
