Saudi Arabia submits bid to host Asian Games in 2030

The stands are seen empty after the decision of the Saudi Ministry of Sports, following an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at King Saud University Stadium, in Riyadh (photo credit: Reuters)
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Updated 24 April 2020
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Saudi Arabia submits bid to host Asian Games in 2030

  • The SAOC submitted a letter of intent to the Olympic Council of Asia to host the games
  • It said the Saudi capital is ready to a “unique, cultural and technological experience”

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has submitted an official bid to host the 21st Asian Games in 2030 in Riyadh.

The Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee (SAOC) said on Thursday it had submitted a letter of intent to the Olympic Council of Asia to host the games.  

In the letter, the SAOC illustrated the Kingdom’s ambitious vision to organize an "unprecedented version" of the sporting event.  

It said the Saudi capital is ready to a “unique, cultural and technological experience.”

Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, president of the SAOC, said: “Bidding for the Asian Games in 2030 is part of our new SAOC strategy and is fully aligned with the Kingdom's Vision 2030.

“I have the full trust that the Riyadh 2030 bid will be a very powerful demonstration of our vision that aims to bring Asia together to deliver the best Asian Games ever.” 

More than 10,000 athletes from 45 countries participate at the the event to compete in 40 games.


US invests in counter-drone tech to protect FIFA World Cup venues

Updated 13 January 2026
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US invests in counter-drone tech to protect FIFA World Cup venues

The US will invest $115 million in counter-drone measures to bolster security around the FIFA World Cup and ​America’s 250th Anniversary celebrations, the Department of Homeland Security said on Monday, the latest sign of governments stepping up drone defenses.

The FIFA World Cup will be a major test of President Donald Trump’s pledge to keep the US ‌secure, with over ‌a million travelers expected ‌to ⁠visit ​for ‌the tournament and billions more watching matches from overseas.

The threat of drone attacks has become a growing concern since the war in Ukraine has demonstrated their lethal capabilities. And recent drone incidents have worried both ⁠European and US airports.

“We are entering a new era ‌to defend our air ‍superiority to protect our ‍borders and the interior of the ‍United States,” DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement. Defense companies are developing a range of technologies aimed at countering drones, including ​tracking software, lasers, microwaves and autonomous machine guns.

The DHS did not specify ⁠which technologies it would deploy to World Cup venues. The announcement comes weeks after the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which sits under DHS, said it granted $250 million to 11 states hosting World Cup matches to buy counter-drone technologies.

Last summer, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, called on Trump, a Republican, to bolster federal support for ‌defending against drone attacks.