Saudi Woman Makes Esports History With Gold Medal at Asian Youth Games

Saudi esports player Tala Al Mazroa has made history by becoming the first Saudi female athlete to win a gold medal at the Asian Youth Games, which are currently taking place in Bahrain.

Tala’s remarkable victory came in the eFootball competition, where she delivered an outstanding, unbeaten performance from start to finish. Her dominance throughout the tournament showcased not only her technical skill but also the growing strength of Saudi women in competitive gaming.

In the semi-finals, Tala defeated her Laotian opponent in two straight matches, winning 2–1 and 3–0 to secure her place in the championship round. Maintaining her momentum, she went on to the final, where she claimed a decisive victory against a Thai competitor with scores of 3–0, 1–0, and 3–1.

With this triumph, Tala Al Mazroa etched her name into sports history as the first Saudi woman ever to win a medal gold or otherwise at any edition of the Asian Games, whether senior, youth, indoor, or martial arts.

Her achievement marks a significant milestone for Saudi Arabia’s growing esports scene and highlights the increasing participation of Saudi women in international competitions, in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 initiative, which promotes youth empowerment and gender inclusion across all sectors.

Tala’s gold medal not only reflects personal excellence but also serves as an inspiration for a new generation of female gamers in the region, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s emerging position as a regional hub for esports and digital sports innovation.