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- NEOM has been showcasing the trophy at key locations across its 26,500-square-kilometer development
JEDDAH: The official AFC Champions League Elite trophy made a special journey across NEOM this week, as excitement builds for the tournament鈥檚 final in Jeddah on Saturday.
As a tournament partner for the last eight matches of this year鈥檚 competition, including the final, NEOM has been showcasing the trophy at key locations across its 26,500-square-kilometer development.
The tour took in some of NEOM鈥檚 most striking destinations, from the snow-covered slopes of Trojena to the shores of the Adventure Sports Hub and through the NEOM Nature Region.
Accompanied by Mohammed Al-Burayk, NEOM Sports Club ambassador, the tour shone a light on the wide range of sports that are becoming central to NEOM鈥檚 vision for the future, from football and skiing to kitesurfing and beyond.
Jan Paterson, managing director of NEOM Sport, said: 鈥淗osting the trophy at NEOM is about much more than the game. It鈥檚 a moment that connects our people and our regions to one of Asia鈥檚 top sporting stages, reflecting how sport is an integral part of the fabric of NEOM.鈥�
NEOM鈥檚 partnership with the Asian Football Confederation has also supported several grassroots initiatives, including the Shuhub Community Youth Football Program, which has engaged around 10,000 young people across 黑料社区 so far.
Through the collaboration, local boys and girls from football community groups have enjoyed once-in-a-lifetime experiences, including participating in AFC matches as player mascots, center circle children and the first-ever trophy handover by children at the AFC Champions League 2023/24 final.