HARBIN, China, Feb 15 : Saudi Minister of Sports and Chairman of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, Prince Abdulaziz Al-Faisal, stated that the 10th Asian Winter Games, scheduled to be held in the Saudi city of NEOM in 2029, will be an “exceptional edition that everyone will enjoy.” This was mentioned in a press statement by Prince Abdulaziz Al-Faisal on the occasion of Saudi Arabia officially receiving the flag of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) on Friday evening.

The handover marked the Kingdom’s hosting of the 10th edition during the closing ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games, held in the Chinese city of Harbin over the past few days, in the presence of officials and representatives from the 45 Asian member states of the council. Prince Abdulaziz Al-Faisal emphasized that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is undergoing “a major transitional phase in the sports sector, thanks to God Almighty, and through the generous directives and support the sports sector receives” from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He added that this generous patronage has made Saudi Arabia “a preferred destination and an ideal home for major global and continental sporting events and activities.”

Prince Abdulaziz Al-Faisal also expressed his deep gratitude to the Olympic Council of Asia and all Asian countries for their confidence in the Kingdom and its ability to position itself as “a global and continental preferred destination for athletes and fans alike.” He highlighted that Saudi Arabia is the first country from West Asia to host this significant continental sports event. During the ceremony, the official logo for the NEOM 2029 Games was unveiled. The logo is inspired by the NEOM Mountains, symbolizing strength and ambition, while the dynamic shapes formed by bodies on the snow represent the energy and vitality of winter sports. The letter “A” is distinctively incorporated into the design, reflecting the mountainous environment and encapsulating the essence of NEOM’s “Future Rings” and its spirit of progress and innovation. (KUNA)