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Saudi Arabia Wins Bid to Host 2029 Asian Winter Games at NEOM

Saudi Arabia has submitted an official bid to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games in NEOM’s TROJENA. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia has submitted an official bid to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games in NEOM’s TROJENA. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Wins Bid to Host 2029 Asian Winter Games at NEOM

Saudi Arabia has submitted an official bid to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games in NEOM’s TROJENA. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia has submitted an official bid to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games in NEOM’s TROJENA. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia said on Tuesday it has won a bid to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games at a planned mountain resort in the Gulf Arab state's $500 billion flagship NEOM project.

The TROJENA development is expected to be completed in 2026 and will offer outdoor skiing, a man-made freshwater lake and a nature reserve, according to the project's website.

"With the unlimited support by the Saudi leadership & HRH Crown Prince to the sport sector we are proud to announce we have won the bid to host AWG TROJENA2029 as the first country in west Asia," Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal said on Twitter.

TROJENA is part of NEOM’s strategy to help support and develop the tourism sector in the region.

Currently taking shape in the mountains of northwest Saudi Arabia, TROJENA will feature unique and innovative architecture in a place where the captivating landscapes will coexist in harmony with the tourist sites.

It will offer an experience unlike anything else in the world, including the Gulf region’s first outdoor skiing.

NEOM is Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's most ambitious project under the Kingdom's Vision 2030 development plan to reduce reliance on oil and transform the economy, including by developing sports.

NEOM, a 26,500-square-km (10,230-square-mile) high-tech development on the Red Sea, will include zero-carbon city "The Line", as well as industrial and logistics areas.

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Chelsea Beat Everton 1-0 to Reignite Champions League Hopes

(L) Nicolas Jackson of Chelsea celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the match with teammate Noni Madueke during the English Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Everton FC, in London, Britain, 26 April 2025. (EPA)
(L) Nicolas Jackson of Chelsea celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the match with teammate Noni Madueke during the English Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Everton FC, in London, Britain, 26 April 2025. (EPA)
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Chelsea Beat Everton 1-0 to Reignite Champions League Hopes

(L) Nicolas Jackson of Chelsea celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the match with teammate Noni Madueke during the English Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Everton FC, in London, Britain, 26 April 2025. (EPA)
(L) Nicolas Jackson of Chelsea celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the match with teammate Noni Madueke during the English Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Everton FC, in London, Britain, 26 April 2025. (EPA)

Chelsea climbed back into contention for next season's Champions League with a 1-0 home win over Everton in the Premier League on Saturday thanks to a fine first-half strike by Nicolas Jackson.

The Senegal striker, fed by Enzo Fernandez, drove low into the bottom corner past a diving Jordan Pickford in the 27th minute for his first goal in four months.

The result lifted Enzo Maresca's Chelsea to fourth in the table on 60 points, one point behind Manchester City who are in FA Cup action this weekend. Everton are 13th.

"At this stage of the season, the result is the main thing," Maresca said.

"We are going to be better and better because the players will understand better and better how to play different games."

The home side should have scored more but were thwarted by a stubborn defense and Pickford, who kept out a series of shots, notably from Noni Madueke.

Cole Palmer buzzed round the Everton box, but his three-month goal drought continued as once again Chelsea failed to capitalise on a good start.

They suffered a tense final 15 minutes with Everton, sensing their nerves, forging forward.

Maresca, serving a one-match ban, watched anxiously from the press box, occasionally shouting towards the pitch and dugout as the clock ticked down.

He described his seat as "a disaster" despite having a runner next to him to take messages to the dugout.

"I prefer to be on the bench. You want to say something, but nobody can hear."

Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez, who had turned aside a good chance from Beto in the 63rd minute, held on to a shot from Idrissa Gueye minutes later.

And he pulled off a fingertip save in the 88th minute to deny Dwight McNeil and keep his side in front.

The Spanish keeper's form has been in doubt recently after a series of mistakes, but Maresca backed him.

"Robert has already had many good moments this season ... As a human being, you always remember the bad things and not the good things. He has had some very good moments with us," the Italian coach said.

"You can see the teammates how they celebrate with him, also at the end of the game. They know for Robert it has not been a good moment, so they support and helped him."

Pickford also praised his opposite number.

"In the second half we dominated as Chelsea sat in and took the 1-0," he told TNT Sports. "Robert Sanchez made a few good saves so credit to him.

"We weren't far off it but that's the Premier League, you get punished."

The League's top five qualify for the Champions League.