Riyadh, January 24 (QNA) - The Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) announced that they have agreed to postpone the hosting of the 2029 Asian Winter Games to a later date to be determined.

In the interim, the two sides agreed to organize a series of individual winter sports championships in Saudi Arabia, with the aim of promoting winter sports, building a base of athletes and participants, and allowing additional time to prepare for broader participation by athletes from Saudi Arabia and the West Asian region in future winter competitions.

This decision reflects the principle of full strategic cooperation and coordination between the two parties and comes within the framework of their strong partnership and shared commitment to supporting the overall development of sport in the region, particularly the future of winter sports.

The Olympic Council of Asia commended the efforts undertaken in Saudi Arabia to establish sustainable plans for winter sports, affirming that the agreed strategic direction places the long-term interests of winter sports in Asia at the forefront. The OCA noted that this approach would contribute to the adoption of an appropriate technical progression, paving the way for a new phase in the development of winter sports in West Asia.

For its part, the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee reaffirmed the Kingdom's continued commitment to developing sports across all disciplines, including winter sports, through athlete development programs, infrastructure enhancement, and the hosting of ice-based events and championships. These efforts aim to strengthen Saudi Arabia's presence in the sports sector, which is a key national priority under the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. (QNA)