During GEFcon, part of the Global Esports Games here in Istanbul, he stated that a young population is driving the country forward with progressive attitudes and is keen for others to learn of its culture.

"70 per cent of people are under the age of 35, 68 per cent of that population consider themselves gamers," Al Saud said in the "global esports landscape" panel session in the Turkish city.

"Of that, 48 per cent of our gamers are female and 52 per cent are male so we have a very strong community that is really leading us forward.

"Saudi is opening up, things are changing and we do listen to everything that happens around the world and we work with our friends in every level from the individual to the Government to make sure things are moving in the right direction.

"But people need to realise the change is happening for us because we are ready for it.

"We are ready to open up to the world and show the world who we really are.

"We are a culture that is welcoming, that enjoys bringing people in and showing our culture.

"That is bar none."

Despite this, both male and female same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Saudi Arabia.

It is also possible for acts of homosexuality to be punished with death sentences, life imprisonment, fines, deportation and flogging, while chemical castration has also been used in the past.

Saudi Arabia's capital city of Riyadh is set to host the next edition of the Global Esports Games, run by the Global Esports Federation (GEF) in December 2023.

It has previously staged GEF tournaments in two variants of the Global Esports Tour.

"I enjoy the opportunity for people to start to come in and see for themselves who we are and not just judge us on the perception," Al Saud said under questioning on whether LGBTQ+ gamers would feel safe competing in Saudi Arabia next year.

"One of the things that is consistently frustrating to me in gaming is people talking about, 'well gamers need to do this, they need to be more social, they need to learn how to do this'".

"Again its that perception and similarly it's not so much the gamers that need to change, it's the perception of the gamers that needs to change.

"I think it's the same thing with where we are as a country.

"There's a perception out there that is many years old, and I relish the opportunity next year for everyone to come to Riyadh and see for yourselves who we are and what we stand for because I think everyone will be pleasantly surprised."

On the Global Esports Tour this year, Saudi Arabia staged a competition in PUBG: Mobile which is also on the programme for the Games in Istanbul.

Following Riyadh's hosting of the 2023 event, the Global Esports Games are set to take place in China, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States in 2024, 2025, and 2026, respectively, although exact dates are yet to be confirmed.