A graduation ceremony was held at Boulevard Riyadh City which celebrated the achievements of more than 300 students.

The nine-month long master’s degree in esports business had a total of 10 graduates.

The degree was run in conjunction with Law and Business School in Spain and included industry internships within its programme.

Diploma courses were also offered in the subjects of coaching and esports team management, project management in esports, broadcast manager for esports events, referee and esports competition manager, become a pro at PUBG Mobile, become a pro at Rocket League, become a pro at Dota 2, become a pro at Rainbow Six, and become a pro at Valorant.

It is hoped that the graduates will now have the opportunity to secure jobs in the gaming and esports industry after gaining formal qualifications.

Saudi Arabia is aiming to become a global leader in esports having spent almost $8 billion (£6.2 billion/€7.3 billion) in the last 18 months acquiring and building stakes in gaming companies.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman last year launched Saudi Arabia’s national gaming and esports strategy in a bid to create 39,000 jobs and boost the country’s gross domestic product by $13.3 billion (£10.5 billion/€12.1 billion) by 2030.

"Celebrating the first batch of graduates from the Saudi Esports Academy’s master’s degree and diploma programmes is a milestone moment for the academy, the Saudi Esports Federation, and Saudi Arabia’s gaming and esports ambitions," said Ibrahim AlSheddi, chief shared services officer at the Saudi Esports Federation, and the chairman of the Academic Committee at the Saudi Esports Academy.

"Be it skills acquired to become professional players, broadcasters, project managers or any other area of the esports ecosystem, our Saudi Esports Academy graduates are primed for success in their chosen careers.

"Importantly, our graduates also now have an outstanding opportunity to help ensure the aims of Saudi Arabia’s national gaming and esports strategy are fully fulfilled.

"In addition, these graduates also give inspiration to the next batch of Saudi Esports Academy students."

Saudi Arabia's rise in esports has mirrored its growing importance in sport, with major events secured including the 2034 Asian Games and 2029 Asian Winter Games.

However, it has been criticised for what opponents view as an attempt to sportswash the Mohammed bin Salman regime's record on human rights.