Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, has openly addressed accusations of ‘sportswashing’ against the Gulf kingdom. He asserts that he is undeterred by such allegations and remains focused on leveraging sports for economic growth.
Economic Growth Through Sport
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, often referred to as MBS, emphasized that he is willing to continue investing in sports, including football and golf, if it contributes to the growth of Saudi Arabia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). He aims to achieve a 1.5% increase in GDP from sports-related activities, building upon the existing 1% growth.
In an interview with Fox News, Prince Mohammed bin Salman was unapologetic about the term ‘sportswashing,’ indicating that his primary concern is economic progress. He stated, “I don’t care [about the term]. I have 1% growth in GDP from sport, and I am aiming for another 1.5%. Call it what you want – we are going to get that 1.5%.”
Saudi Arabia has faced criticism and international condemnation for various issues, including human rights violations, restrictions on women’s rights, the criminalization of homosexuality, limitations on free speech, and its involvement in the Yemeni conflict. The 2018 murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist critical of the government, further damaged the country’s global reputation.
Sport as Part of ‘Vision 2030’
Saudi authorities have defended their investment in sports as an integral component of the ‘Vision 2030’ strategy, aimed at diversifying the economy and modernizing the nation. The country’s sovereign wealth fund boasts estimated assets of $620 billion (£550 billion).
Saudi Arabia’s involvement in sports extends to various high-profile ventures, including the takeover of Premier League club Newcastle United and the launch of LIV Golf. Additionally, the country is set to host the Club World Cup in December and is considering bids to host the FIFA World Cup in 2030 or 2034.
Critics argue that Saudi Arabia uses sports to divert attention from its long-standing reputation issues, including human rights abuses and its role in the Yemen conflict. Several high-profile sporting events, such as F1 races and world title boxing fights, have drawn criticism from human rights groups and athletes.
Saudi Arabia recently signed a five-year deal to host the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah, marking the first professional tennis event in the country. Talks are also underway with the women’s tour to potentially host the WTA Finals.
