In a first, Saudi Arabia to host 2029 Asian Winter Games

By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) - Saudi Arabia will host the Asian Winter Games 2029 at Trojena, a ski resort being constructed as part of the country’s $500 billion Neom futuristic megacity project.

Saudi Arabia’s proposal was “unanimously approved” during the 41st General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) on Tuesday, according to an OCA statement.

Trojena “will be the first West Asian city to host the Asian Winter Games,” the statement said.

Saudi Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal hailed the decision as a “great victory for the Saudi nation and Gulf countries.”

“Trojena will be a year-round destination for winter sports … It will highlight the enormous potential and great infrastructure of Saudi Arabia to host and organize international-level sport competitions,” he said.

Trojena, described as a mountain destination spread over an area of nearly 60 square kilometers (23 square miles) with elevations between 1,500-2,600 meters, is expected to be completed by 2026.

According to the OCA, the 2029 Asian Winter Games will feature 47 events – 28 on snow and 19 on ice – including alpine skiing, snowboarding, slalom skiing, ice hockey, figure skating, and curling.​​​​​​​