RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Arabian professional esports player Modhi Alkanhal outlined the growing role and representation of women within the Kingdom’s competitive gaming landscape, following her latest recognition at the annual Saudi Esports Federation (SEF) Awards.
Alkanhal, 23, who competes professionally under the in-game moniker “Madv,” recently secured the “Best Female Player of the Year” award presented by Hilton. The accolade marks her third consecutive win at the annual national federation awards, cementing her position at the forefront of the domestic esports industry.
Alkanhal operates as the in-game leader (IGL) for Team Falcons Vega, the elite all-female division of the prominent Saudi Arabian esports organization Team Falcons, where she specializes in the tactical shooter title Valorant. Having started her gaming journey at the age of 10, she now competes as a full-time professional athlete.
Data released by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology indicates a significant demographic footprint for women in the sector, revealing that 48 percent of the Kingdom’s estimated 23.5 million gamers are female. This domestic gaming population constitutes nearly 70 percent of the country’s total population.
Alkanhal attributed the acceleration of female participation and career viability to targeted infrastructure programs established by the Saudi Esports Federation. The SEF manages two distinct development tracks: a competitive talent pathway that guides grassroots community players into global elite athletes, and an ecosystem enablement track. Specific regulatory initiatives highlighted include the creation of specialized training programs, mentorship networks, all-female competitive teams, and dedicated tournaments such as the Women’s League and the “Girls in Esports” initiative.