Saudi Arabia's audacious vision to host a winter sports extravaganza in the middle of the desert is facing a monumental crisis. The Kingdom's flagship project, the Trojena ski resort within the $500 billion futuristic city of Neom, is dangerously behind schedule, threatening its central role in the 2029 Asian Winter Games.
With the clock ticking, Olympic officials are engaged in high-stakes emergency discussions over a drastic contingency plan: moving the entire multi-sport event to China. This potential relocation deals a significant blow to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's ambitious plan to transform the nation into a global tourism and sporting destination.
A Mirage in the Desert?
The Trojena project, a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia's 'Vision 2030', was unveiled as a year-round mountain destination featuring artificial lakes and a man-made freshwater ski run. It was hailed as an engineering marvel, a testament to the Kingdom's limitless ambition and wealth. However, insiders now report that construction is mired in delays, putting the hosting of the Games in serious jeopardy.
The situation has become so critical that the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) is actively exploring alternatives. China, with its existing world-class winter sports facilities from the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, has emerged as the most viable backup host.
The Stakes for Saudi Vision 2030
The potential move is more than just a logistical failure; it's a reputational disaster. Hosting the Asian Winter Games was a pivotal part of Saudi Arabia's strategy to diversify its economy away from oil and cement its status on the world stage. A successful event at Trojena was meant to be a powerful symbol of the nation's transformation.
This setback raises serious questions about the feasibility of other grandiose Neom projects, including 'The Line', a 170km-long linear city. The reported delays and the spectre of losing a flagship event suggest that the Kingdom's futuristic ambitions may be outpacing practical reality.
As behind-the-scenes negotiations continue, the world watches to see if Saudi Arabia's desert ski dream can be salvaged or if the 2029 Asian Winter Games will find a more conventional home amidst China's snow-capped mountains.
