Saudi Arabia eyes world’s first ‘sky stadium’ within futuristic NEOM city: Reports
Riyadh: Social media has been abuzz with reports that Saudi Arabia is planning to build the world’s first “sky stadium” — a football arena suspended 350 metres above the desert within its futuristic NEOM megacity project.
According to reports circulating online, the proposed NEOM Sky Stadium will seat around 46,000 spectators, be powered by solar and wind energy, and could host matches during the 2034 FIFA World Cup, which Saudi Arabia is set to host. Construction is reportedly expected to begin in 2027 and finish by 2032, in line with the country’s preparations for the expanded 48-team tournament.
There's been no mention of the "sky stadium" in legacy Saudi media, as reported by Gulf News on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, several online reports citing Construction Review, claim that the NEOM Sky Stadium will be integrated into The Line, the linear smart city under the NEOM project. The magazine also claimed that the NEOM Sky stadium will be the "world’s first sky stadium” for the 2034 World Cup glory.
"The stadium is suspended at an astonishing 350 meters (1,150 feet) above the desert floor within the futuristic NEOM city of The Line", the magazine added.
An aerial projection of how the stadium would look like has gone viral on social media.
https://twitter.com/DeadlineDayLive/status/1982894966352556302
FIFA has reportedly given preliminary endorsement to the Sky Stadium project, recognising its potential to establish new benchmarks for environmentally friendly sports venues. The stadium’s proposed location, near NEOM’s Health and Well-Being District and University zone, is envisioned as a hub for sports and recreation.
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National Herald case: Shivakumar to seek time next week to appear before Delhi police
New Delhi/Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday said he will ask for time from Delhi police to appear before them next week, to provide required information as part of the probe into the National Herald case.
He said he will seek time after the ongoing winter session of Karnataka legislature ends on December 19. He will also ask the Delhi police to provide him the FIR copy.
Shivakumar, who is in the national capital, had earlier said that he will appear before the Delhi police on Monday. But, he postponed the plan in order to rush back to Karnataka to participate in the last rites of veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa, scheduled later in the day in Davangere.
"I had to go (to appear before the Delhi police), but I have to go back urgently. I'm asking them for time, stating that I will come next week," Shivakumar told reporters in New Delhi.
"They (Delhi police) have not attached the FIR copy while issuing notice to me. I need FIR copy, because we had already given all the required replies to the ED. I don't know what the FIR says, I only read in papers. They have given notice, I will ask for a FIR copy. I will come next week after the Assembly session."
The Delhi Police had issued a notice to Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Congress chief, seeking financial and transactional details as part of its probe into the National Herald case.
The notice issued by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) states that Shivakumar is "supposed to be having vital information" pertaining to the National Herald case registered on October 3 this year, against top Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
In the notice dated November 29, the EOW had asked Shivakumar to appear before it or provide the requested information by December 19 latest.
Investigators have sought details about his personal background, his association with the Congress party, and a complete break up of funds allegedly transferred by him or associated entities to Young Indian.
To a question on meeting AICC General Secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, amid the ongoing power tussle between him and CM Siddaramaiah over the Chief Minister post, Shivakumar said when he comes to Delhi, he usually meets every one.
"Whether it is Surjewala or Kharge (AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge) or Venugopal, I will meet everyone. During lunch yesterday I met Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. I have met everyone. What's wrong?" he asked.
Shivakumar was in Delhi to take part in Congress' "Vote Chori" rally on Sunday, and had also participated in the lunch organised by the party for its leaders.
Responding to a question, whether any meeting is planned with leaders today, the Deputy CM said, he and Kharge will be travelling together to Karnataka, to pay last respects to Shamanuru Shivashankarappa.
Asked if he will seek time for a separate meeting with Congress leadership including Rahul Gandhi, during the next visit to Delhi, Sivakumar said, "such things will be there between us in the party.... you don't worry."
