Published on, Aug. 26 -- August 26, 2025 12:18 AM

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) says that preparations for the 2029 Asian Winter Games in Saudi Arabia are "on schedule" after South Korea and China emerged as potential replacements.

Saudi Arabia is supposed to host the next edition of the regional winter competition in a move derided by environmental groups.

The OCA in 2022 unanimously approved the desert kingdom's bid to stage the Games at its $500 billion megacity NEOM, part of Saudi Arabia's splurge on major sporting events, including the 2034 football World Cup.

The futuristic and under-construction NEOM will feature a year-round winter sports complex in the mountains of Trojena.

However, the Financial Times last week reported...