JEDDAH: The Local Organizing Committee for the Asian Cup Qatar 2023 yesterday launched football roadshows in Saudi Arabia, with senior officials promoting the tournament that will start Jan. 12 next year after being postponed.

Qatar will oversee the AFC Asian Cup for a third time after hosting the tournament in 1988 and 2011. Twenty-four of the continent’s best teams will compete for the  prestigious football title.

The events in Saudi Arabia were headed by Local Organizing Committee director of communications and marketing Hassan Rabeea Al-Kuwari and director of local and regional media Sheikh Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani.

The goal of the committee is to promote the tournament and introduce the latest developments to media professionals.

Al-Kuwari and Al-Thani addressed a press conference on Thursday night in Jeddah, answering questions about Qatar’s readiness to host the event, and highlighting information related to tickets and permits for media professionals.

The communications director told the Saudi press: “Once again Qatar is opening its arms to welcome football fans, one year after hosting the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.”

He praised Saudi football fans, describing them as the “key to the success of any competition.

“They always bring extra energy and enthusiasm,” he added.

Al-Kuwari said that the tournament will be played across nine stadiums, seven of which hosted matches during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Al-Thani said: “There will be a state-of-the-art media center, that will ensure journalists from across the continent will be able to report on the tournament’s success to the rest of the world.

“Media facilities are equipped with the latest tools, devices and all means, ensuring the smooth and easy running of the tournament activities,” he added.

The AFC Asian Cup 2023 draw placed Saudi Arabia in Group F with Thailand, Kyrgyzstan and Oman.