This podcast made possible by support from 21st Asian Games Riyadh 2030 Candidate City.
(ATR) Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Wednesday will learn whether the kingdom will host the Asian Games for the first time.
The Olympic Council of Asia will decide between Riyadh and Doha, Qatar at its General Assembly in Muscat, Oman on December 16.
The OCA’s evaluation committee visited both cities in November.
Around the Rings managing editor Gerard Farek spoke with HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Alfaisal, the Riyadh 2030 bid committee president, on December 11.
Prince Abdulaziz says that sports is an important part of the country's broader long-term plans known as Vision 2030 and hosting the Asian Games in 2030 will help Saudi Arabia in more ways than just on the playing field.
"Sports is a very powerful drive towards a better society, a healthier society," he tells ATR, adding that he believes sports can make a lot of "dreams come true" for younger generations of Saudis.
Hosting the Asian Games also will give Saudi Arabia a goal "to develop sports within the kingdom to make sure everyone benefits from that" and to bring the country closer to the other National Olympic Committees in Asia and "make sure we can collaborate in future programs together".
Prince Abdulaziz also explains how hosting the 2030 Games will help in the growth of women's sports in Saudi Arabia.
The president of the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee says he feels confident about the kingdom's chances.
"I think we have a good reason to win this bid and I think we have all the components to make this a very successful Games."
AroundTheRings · ATRadio: Riyadh 2030 Bid Chief ‘Confident’
This podcast made possible by support from 21st Asian Games Riyadh 2030 Candidate City.
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