Saudi Arabia, a desert country, will host a winter sports competition
Mohammed bin Salman announces the launch of the new futuristic city of Neom on January 10, 2021. VIA REUTERS - Handout.
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
It is a choice that “
surprised
” even the president of the International Ski Federation and which was nevertheless made “
unanimously
” by the members of the Olympic Council of Asia.
Saudi Arabia should therefore host - in 2029 - the Asian Winter Games.
As its name suggests, it is a winter sports competition reserved for Asian countries.
The choice of Saudi Arabia, a desert country, as host country, is surprising.
But for the Saudi kingdom, these Games must be a step in its development.
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It is the futuristic city - and even future - since not yet out of the ground, of Neom, which is to host the Asian Winter Games of 2029. The attribution of this event allows the kingdom to give an international influence to its city -project even before it sees the light of day, to attract foreign investors and tourists.
But the project is also aimed at Saudis, underlines Raphaël Le Magoariec, doctoral student in geopolitics at the University of Tours: “Until recently,
Saudi Arabia was very little open to entertainment.
And there is a part of his society - especially urban society - which is looking for new entertainment and therefore ready to come and consume at the stadium and around the stadiums.
»
Economic logic
The event therefore responds to an economic logic.
But not only.
The kingdom is developing a sports diplomacy like its neighbor, Qatar, believes Raphaël Le Magoariec, specialist in the Arabian Peninsula: “Saudi Arabia is really following in the wake of Qatar.
Qatar will have the Asian Games again in 2030;
Saudi Arabia has obtained the organization of the 2034 Asian Games. It must be understood that the Asian Games are the third most important sporting event.
And that's a step before trying to get events like the World Cup.
»
Saudi Arabia should also submit a file to organize the 2030 World Cup with Egypt and Greece.
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To read also:
In Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman appointed Prime Minister
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