Commercial certainty and full stadia boost Riyadh 2030’s bold vision for hosting Asian Games

This news has been read 17500 times!

Saudi Arabia’s capital fully confident at close of 2030 Asian Games OCA Evaluation Committee visit

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Nov 11: Riyadh 2030 has, today, boosted its campaign to host the Asian Games by sharing its bold vision for a transformative Games that would deliver commercial certainty and passionate new fans, on the final day of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) 2030 Asian Games Evaluation Committee Visit.

Riyadh 2030 Bid Committee President, HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Alfaisal, thanked the Evaluation Committee as he showcased the bid, which promises a Games that is ultra-modern yet steeped in history, responsible, visually stunning and sustainable. Supporting HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Saudi Vision 2030, Riyadh 2030 would be the first Asian Games hosted in Saudi Arabia.

The Evaluation Committee heard how it would be a bold step in the spectacular evolution of the Asian Games, igniting passions in a new market. Riyadh 2030 would provide commercial certainty with the Kingdom’s population of more than 35 million sportsloving residents ready to fill stadia and generate a festival atmosphere. Riyadh 2030’s compact and sustainable Games Plan – that would deliver a vibrant, modern, world-class Games and unify Asia in a celebration of sport – was highlighted as the Evaluation Committee visited two proposed hosting zones – Qiddiya and the Diriyah Historical Zone – and learned more about the third zone at Dammam. Members of the Evaluation Committee toured interconnected sites across the capital, seeing ideally located accommodation and stadia, supported by modern transport links.

Most competition venues are already built or planned for construction as part of the city’s wider transformation. Any purpose-built venues will be developed in readiness for 2030 to incorporate the height of innovation and technology. All will be world class, fully enhanced and state of the art, and aligned with the bid’s commitment to embedding sustainability and financial responsibility throughout. Existing venues visited by the OCA 2030 Evaluation Committee included the fl agship King Fahd International Stadium, known as ‘The Pearl’, and the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

These iconic sites regularly attract full capacity crowds of passionate Saudis when hosting marquee international sports events and are well prepared to host the 2030 Asian Games. World-renowned historic landmarks alongside stunning contemporary locations are part of the essence of Riyadh’s bid. The OCA 2030 Evaluation Committee saw this first-hand at the Qiddiya complex, home to the Athletes’ Village and Opening and Closing Ceremonies, the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Al-Turaif and the King Saud University Cluster.

Riyadh 2030 Bid Committee President, HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Alfaisal, said: “At its heart, Riyadh 2030 seeks to inspire a new generation of athletes across Asia whilst also being a driving force in the transformation of Saudi society. Working alongside the OCA, we will enable the Asian Olympic Movement to connect with new audiences and spread the values of sport and Olympics; as well as leaving a long-lasting sporting, social and cultural legacy throughout Saudi Arabia.

“We believe we have demonstrated Riyadh 2030’s ground-breaking, riskfree and transformative vision to the members of the OCA Evaluation Committee and I thank them for visiting our city. With strong presentations and inspirational visits to key host locations, we have highlighted the commercial certainty our bid would provide and our modern, visually stunning and sustainable hosting vision. As Saudi Arabia’s first ever Asian Games, Riyadh 2030 is the dream of our nation and with full government and public support, our bid promises to leave an enduring legacy across Asia.”

This news has been read 17500 times!