On October 17, 2024, the national hobby portal, Hawi, an initiative under Saudi Arabia's Quality of Life Program, announced the launch of five Baloot tournaments across various regions of the Kingdom. Baloot, a traditional card game popular in Saudi Arabia, will be at the center of these competitive events, with the first tournament set to take place in the Makkah region from October 17 to 18, 2024.
The tournament is open to all Baloot enthusiasts within the region, allowing players to showcase their skills in a structured and competitive environment. The event will employ the Swiss system format, which involves five rounds of play. At the conclusion of these rounds, four teams will qualify for the knockout stage, where they will compete for the top spots in the tournament.
A total prize pool of SAR 20,000 has been allocated for the competition, offering participants an enticing reward for their strategic prowess. To participate, players must register through the Hawi application, the official platform facilitating engagement in various hobbies and activities across the Kingdom.
This series of Baloot tournaments is part of Saudi Arabia's broader efforts to promote leisure activities and enhance the quality of life for its citizens, encouraging community involvement and the celebration of cultural pastimes.