HARBIN, China: Saudi Arabia officially received the flag of the Olympic Council of Asia on Friday, marking the start of its preparations to host the 10th Asian Winter Games in 2029 — the first time a country in West Asia will stage the prestigious continental event.
The handover took place during the closing ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, which hosted the Games this year.
The head of the Kingdom’s delegation, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, minister of sports and president of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, received the flag from Timothy Fok, vice president of the Olympic Council of Asia.
During the ceremony, organizers unveiled the official logo of NEOM 2029, which, according to a ministry statement, draws inspiration from NEOM’s mountainous landscape, symbolizing strength and ambition
The design incorporates dynamic shapes representing the energy and movement of winter sports, while the letter “A” connects the event’s identity to the Asian Winter Games and the region’s futuristic vision under NEOM’s “Future Rings” concept.
In a statement, Prince Abdulaziz welcomed all participating countries, pledging to deliver an exceptional and unforgettable tournament in NEOM.
“The Kingdom is witnessing a major transformation in the sports sector, thanks to the generous support and vision of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This has positioned Saudi Arabia as a leading destination for global and continental sporting events,” he said.
Prince Abdulaziz also thanked the Olympic Council of Asia, led by Raja Rhandir Singh, and to all Asian countries for their confidence in Saudi Arabia’s ability to host world-class sporting competitions.
The closing ceremony was attended by
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