Qatar doubles downs on bid to host 2030 Asian Games

Qatar Monday made bid to host the 2030 Asian Games a “national priority” despite competition from regional power house and former ally Saudi Arabia.
The organizing committee of the Asian Games has validated the tiny Gulf country’s bid to host the games for the second time in history.
Qatar hosted the event 2006. “Doha 2030 is a national priority for Qatar and has the full support of His Highness the Emir and the State of Qatar,” a Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) statement said.
Qatar is competition with Saudi Arabia which has also submitted its bid to stage the games in capital Riyadh. Both countries have been at odds since June 2017 after the kingdom along with Egypt, UAE and Bahrain cut ties over Doha’s alleged support for terrorism.
The Saudi-led side has imposed a sea/air/land blockade. The feud has seemed to deescalate in the area of sports after Saudi, Emirati and Bahraini national football teams took part in the Gulf Cup last year organized in Qatar.