Sport-Asian Cup remains on track but golf and cycling events affected after Riyadh attack

Oct 16 : Golf's Asian Tour has postponed the Saudi International indefinitely and cycling's Urban World Championships have been cancelled following a deadly attack on Riyadh although local organisers said next year's Asian Cup soccer tournament remained on track.

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement claimed responsibility for Saturday's strike on Riyadh's international airport, which killed at least 12 people and wounded more than 300.

The Urban Cycling World Championships had been scheduled for November 3-7 in Riyadh, while the $5 million Saudi International, the flagship event on the Asian Tour, was due to take place at Riyadh Golf Club from November 18-21.

Other events have also been disrupted. The Six Kings Slam exhibition tennis tournament in Riyadh has been moved from October to December, while FIFA on Thursday postponed the FIFAe Finals 2026 video game competition in Jeddah until an unspecified future date.

The disruption had raised questions over whether the 24-team Asian Cup could still go ahead in Saudi Arabia from January 7 to February 5 next year.

Asian soccer chief Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa said earlier this week that a postponement of the continental championships until 2028 was possible if necessary, but the local organising committee said on Friday it was sticking to the original schedule.

"Preparations across all organisational and operational areas are progressing according to the approved schedule, including work on venues, facilities and supporting services," it said in a statement.

"(The LOC) will continue to monitor developments relevant to the tournament and ensure the appropriate conditions are in place for its successful delivery."

ATTACKS DISRUPT SPORTS CALENDAR

The Asian Tour said the Saudi