In a world where economic power is all but important, one nation’s name repeatedly echoes from the echelon of international sports; and that’s Saudi Arabia.
Riyadh hopes to transition from a fossil-fuel past to a sports-fuelled future as the wealth and influence of the Saudi Crown spreads far and wide.
Sports is a lucrative business and football holds much influence. Saudi authorities are on a mission to entice the best talents in the world of football. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), who also doubles as Premier, spearheads this audacious bid.
In the Middle East, Riyadh continues to champion a sports revolution – one that fascinates both local and world observers. But the question remains: to what end, and in whose interests?
Transformative potential of football
While Saudi Arabia is predominantly a petro-state, heavily reliant on oil sales that constitute over 40 percent of its GDP, the nation is now envisioning a future beyond fossil fuels.
The Saudis, Seeking diversification and the establishment of a modern state centered on mineral extraction and tourism, have identified sports, particularly football, as a core element of their aspirations.
Aspiring to create one of the top ten football leagues globally, the transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United to the Saudi Pro League (SPL) in December 2022 has significantly transformed Saudi football and drawn widespread attention.
The SPL’s mega deals and financial power
The media continues to be flooded with news about the SPL and its lucrative deals, enticing leading football athletes who are unable to resist the financial allure. As financial power plays a crucial role in international political relations, Saudi Arabia possesses a considerable amount of it.
However, the underlying motivations and endgame of these reforms raise questions: are they profit-oriented or tools designed for political purposes? The responses to such inquiries remain controversial and debatable.
Saudi Arabia’s vision and sports diversification
While oil sales generate substantial revenue for the Saudi state, the downsides of this dependence are clear as the nation endeavors to thrive in a post-oil world. Riyadh’s grandiose Vision 2030 plans aim to modernize the country by reducing its reliance on oil, diversifying the economy, increasing non-oil trade and investments, and developing the public service sector.
Sports, particularly football, form a central pillar of this diversification strategy, but Riyadh has also invested heavily in other sports such as golf and Formula One. The Public Investment Fund (PIF), Saudi Arabia’s independent wealth fund with an estimated $620 billion in assets, plays a crucial role in achieving these aims both on and off the field.
Crown Prince MBS seeks to modernize and liberalize the kingdom across all spheres and position the SPL as a top-choice football hub.
Modernization or Sportswashing?
Critics, however, argue that Saudi Arabia deserves no accolades for its football reforms, citing the nation’s human rights records. Accusations of “sportswashing” have emerged, referring to the use of sports as a means to cover up atrocities and injustices.
It is undeniable that Saudi Arabia, amidst other human rights abuses, maintains one of the highest execution rates in the world and faces allegations of gross violations of civil liberties. Politics frequently intertwines with sports, and Saudi Arabia’s football transformation has attracted significant Western criticism.
However, determining the boundaries of these criticisms and where the lines should be drawn is a complex task.
Take-home
Sports, particularly football, represents a lucrative enterprise, and the concept of soft power, characterized by attraction and cultural appeal, plays a pivotal role in bolstering the sport.
The interconnection of football and politics is undeniable, and regardless of Saudi Arabia’s intentions, competition and the pursuit of national interests remain inherent.
Saudi Arabia’s football revolution ushers in a new era, and as its momentum builds, the world watches with keen interest.
