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.



Rybakina's 1st Match as World Number One Ends in China Open Defeat by Charaeva

Alina Charaeva, of Russia, left is congratulated by Elena Rybakina, of Kazakhstan, after winning their women's singles second round match during the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Alina Charaeva, of Russia, left is congratulated by Elena Rybakina, of Kazakhstan, after winning their women's singles second round match during the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
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Rybakina's 1st Match as World Number One Ends in China Open Defeat by Charaeva

Alina Charaeva, of Russia, left is congratulated by Elena Rybakina, of Kazakhstan, after winning their women's singles second round match during the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Alina Charaeva, of Russia, left is congratulated by Elena Rybakina, of Kazakhstan, after winning their women's singles second round match during the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Three-times Grand Slam champion Elena Rybakina crashed out of the China Open with a shock 3-6 6-4 6-3 defeat by unseeded Alina Charaeva in the second round on Saturday, marking a disappointing start to her reign as world number one.

The 27-year-old was playing for the first time since defeating four-times major winner Aryna Sabalenka to capture the US Open title last month, Reuters reported.

Rybakina had skipped Kazakhstan's Billie Jean King Cup ⁠Finals campaign after ⁠what she described as a physically demanding month.

Charaeva, a 24-year-old Russian-born Armenian ranked 118th in the world, etched her name into the record books by becoming the lowest-ranked competitor since the introduction of the WTA rankings ⁠in 1975 to rally from a set down to defeat the world's top ranked player.

Having weathered Rybakina's early charge, Charaeva converted five of eight break-point opportunities and won 76% of points behind her first serve.

Rybakina struggled on serve, committing seven double faults in the two-hour, 11-minute contest at the WTA 1000 hardcourt event.

Charaeva will next meet Britain's Sonay Kartal.

In the ⁠men's ⁠draw, German top seed Alexander Zverev swept aside local hope Shang Juncheng 6-0 6-3 in the round of 16.

Fresh from his US Open triumph and helping Team Europe win the Laver Cup, Zverev will next take on 24-times Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in Sunday's quarter-final.

The 39-year-old Serb boasts a perfect 31-0 record at the ATP 500 event and holds the tournament record with six China Open titles.


Yamal on Target as Spain Hold Off Czech Republic

Spain's forward #19 Lamine Yamal kicks the ball during the UEFA Nations League Group A3 football match between Spain and the Czech Republic at the Carlos Tartiere Stadium in Oviedo on October 3, 2026. (AFP)
Spain's forward #19 Lamine Yamal kicks the ball during the UEFA Nations League Group A3 football match between Spain and the Czech Republic at the Carlos Tartiere Stadium in Oviedo on October 3, 2026. (AFP)
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Yamal on Target as Spain Hold Off Czech Republic

Spain's forward #19 Lamine Yamal kicks the ball during the UEFA Nations League Group A3 football match between Spain and the Czech Republic at the Carlos Tartiere Stadium in Oviedo on October 3, 2026. (AFP)
Spain's forward #19 Lamine Yamal kicks the ball during the UEFA Nations League Group A3 football match between Spain and the Czech Republic at the Carlos Tartiere Stadium in Oviedo on October 3, 2026. (AFP)

Lamine Yamal continued his superb goalscoring form as Spain secured a 3-1 win over the Czech Republic on Saturday in the Nations League.

The world champions moved three points clear of England at the top of Group A3, after Thomas Tuchel's side demolished Croatia 7-0 earlier on in Rijeka.

Spain cruised into a two-goal lead with Yamal and captain Rodri Hernandez on target but Jiri Slama gave the Czechs a chance by pulling one back with 20 minutes to go.

However, Mikel Merino wrapped up Spain's win late on after Ladislav Krejci was sent off for the Czechs as Spain racked up a 41st consecutive unbeaten game, including the World Cup final win over Argentina in July.

"They are well drilled, I thought it would be one of the hardest games and that's how it was," Rodri told Spanish broadcaster TVE after Spain claimed a third win from three group games.

"It was tricky but we got some chances. There are some matches in which you can't generate that much, but the team was able to manage the match."

The former Manchester City midfielder scored for the first time for Spain in over two years.

"It's always special to score for the national team, I'd not been scoring many goals, let's see if I've found that dynamic -- it's important, we all have to chip in with the goals," he added.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente made several changes in Oviedo from Tuesday's win over Croatia, including handing debuts to full-back Ivan Fresneda and striker Roberto Fernandez.

It was one of Spain's star names, though, who lit up the game early on, something he is beginning to make a habit of.

Yamal, who scored in the second minute of Spain's first two games against England and Croatia, waited as long as the sixth before breaking the deadlock.

- Red hot form -

The 19-year-old winger, a major candidate for the Ballon d'Or, produced an exquisite finish from the right of the box, curled into the top corner after taking a touch to earn himself room to shoot.

"We're doing well, I'm very happy. I was eager to return to the national team after the World Cup, and there's no better way than this," said Yamal.

Spain coach De la Fuente put his hands to his head in apparent shock at the quality of Yamal's superb strike, his 12th in his last nine games for club and country.

"I think he never stops surprising us -- I think all of us. He has so much talent, so much quality, that we still haven't seen the best version of Lamine by a long shot," said De la Fuente.

"He has a lot more to offer because he's so classy, so talented, with so much potential."

The winger's Barcelona team-mate Rodri doubled Spain's lead after 35 minutes, arriving in the box to drill into the top corner after the ball fell nicely for him.

De la Fuente took off Yamal at half-time to give the young Barcelona star a break before Tuesday's visit to face Croatia, and the pace of the game slowed.

The Czechs pulled one back through Slama, who produced an excellent low finish across David Raya after Adam Hlozek played him in.

Arsenal stopper Raya was fortunate a few minutes later when he conceded possession with a misplaced pass while out of his goal, but the visitors could not capitalize.

Raya also spilled the ball badly and Ryan Naderi turned home but the goal was disallowed for a foul on Robin Le Normand.

Czech Republic's determined efforts to battle back were derailed by Krejci's red card, with the defender shown a second yellow for pulling back Fernandez, before Merino rounded off Spain's win.


UAE Beat Oman to Reach Gulf Cup Final Against Saudi Arabia

Football - Gulf Cup - Semi Final - United Arab Emirates v Oman - Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - October 3, 2026 United Arab Emirates' Lucas Pimenta, Oumar Camara and Sultan Adil celebrate after the match. (Reuters)
Football - Gulf Cup - Semi Final - United Arab Emirates v Oman - Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - October 3, 2026 United Arab Emirates' Lucas Pimenta, Oumar Camara and Sultan Adil celebrate after the match. (Reuters)
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UAE Beat Oman to Reach Gulf Cup Final Against Saudi Arabia

Football - Gulf Cup - Semi Final - United Arab Emirates v Oman - Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - October 3, 2026 United Arab Emirates' Lucas Pimenta, Oumar Camara and Sultan Adil celebrate after the match. (Reuters)
Football - Gulf Cup - Semi Final - United Arab Emirates v Oman - Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - October 3, 2026 United Arab Emirates' Lucas Pimenta, Oumar Camara and Sultan Adil celebrate after the match. (Reuters)

Forward Ousmane Camara scored the only goal as the United Arab Emirates beat Oman 1-0 on Saturday to set up a final against Saudi Arabia in the Gulf Cup.

Saudi edged Asian champions Qatar 3-2 on penalties after 120 minutes ended goalless in an earlier, poor-quality semi-final.

Camara headed home from close range to lead Zlatko Dalic's side to the final for ‌the first time ‌since 2018. The UAE are seeking to ‌clinch ⁠the title for ⁠a third time after their triumphs in 2007 and 2013.

UAE playmaker Nicolas Gimenez squandered a penalty in the 56th minute.

"After we missed the penalty, of course we changed three players. We put in new guys, they brought something new to the team and the game, more energy, and changed the rhythm," Dalic ⁠told Abu Dhabi Sports TV.

"But we never gave ‌up. I told my players, ‌we worked hard for the last 20 days for what? For this ‌night, for this game," the former Croatia coach added.

Oman, ‌runners-up in the previous edition, had reached the semi-finals after advancing ahead of Iraq by lot when the two teams finished level on all Group A tiebreak criteria.

HEROIC AL OWAIS

Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais played ‌a huge role by making two saves in the penalty shootout, denying Jassem Gaber and ⁠Boualem Khoukhi ⁠from the spot.

Al Owais, 34, saved Khoukhi's penalty and then denied him again when the kick was ordered to be retaken.

Qatar were solid in defense and came closest to breaking the deadlock when substitute Edmilson struck the crossbar late in the second half.

However, the main talking point for Julen Lopetegui's side was talisman Akram Afif's frustrated reaction after being substituted in the 69th minute, with the forward appearing unhappy as he left the pitch.

Saudi Arabia will hope to end a 22-year wait to regain the Gulf Cup when they host the UAE in Tuesday's final at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.