Eversendai says work on Saudi ski village to proceed amid talk of Asian Winter Games relocation

• The ambitious desert ski resort in the Al-Lawz mountains, part of Saudi Arabia's megaproject series Neom, had been earmarked to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games.

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 24): Eversendai Corp Bhd (KL:SENDAI), which is undertaking steel works for Saudi Arabia’s Trojena Ski Village, said construction activities will continue “without interruption” following reports that the 2029 Asian Winter Games may be reassigned to a different host country.

This was reaffirmed during the project's latest monthly progress meeting which was attended by Eversendai executive chairman and group managing director Tan Sri AK Nathan, it said in a brief statement on Sunday.

"As with any such project, early-stage challenges have emerged—particularly in relation to execution timelines and the unexpectedly complex terrain and rock conditions.

"These issues, while significant, are not insurmountable," the statement read.

"To address the pressures associated with tight deadlines and logistical challenges, the Saudi Arabian government is reportedly exploring the option of transferring the hosting rights for the Asian Winter Games to South Korea. This strategic adjustment would provide the necessary time and flexibility to ensure the long-term success of the Trojena Ski Village project, without compromising its vision or objectives," the company went on to say.

The project will "proceed as planned", it added. "We remain committed to this project and confident in its future."

The ambitious desert ski resort in the Al-Lawz mountains, part of Saudi Arabia's megaproject series Neom, had been earmarked to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games.

However, it was reported earlier this week that the Olympic Council of Asia has sent a formal letter to South Korea about the possibility of taking over as the host country. Some of the kingdom's most ambitious projects under Neom have had to be downsized due to rising costs and low crude oil prices which affects state revenue, according to reports.

Eversendai announced the Trojena contract in March last year, as part of four project wins totalling RM5.4 billion in Saudi, the UAE and India. It did not disclose the value of each project, citing non-disclosure agreement.

In the statement, AK Nathan described Eversendai as having a 'diversified' market presence. The company's total order book stood at over RM6 billion as of May. "We remain optimistic and focused on delivering excellence across all our engagements," he said.

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