Karim Zidan: LIV Golf’s success in drawing in some of golf’s biggest names has raised concerns about the future of the sport. - NBCNewsTHINK
Over the past few years, Saudi Arabia has taken part in more traditional, albeit smaller sportswashing projects — i.e., hosting or investing in sports events to whitewash abuses. These vanity projects were effective but did not necessarily alter the sports landscape.
Predictably, the tournament has sparked some backlash. But critics shouldn’t get too excited by the smattering of bad publicity. Predictably, the tournament has sparked some backlash. But critics shouldn’t get too excited by the smattering of bad publicity. Several of the series’ enlisted golfers have already begun to spin the sportswashing event as an opportunity for the kingdom to reform.
“If Saudi Arabia wants to use the game of golf as a way for them to get to where they want to be, and they have the resources to accelerate that experience,”at the pre-event press conference this week, “I think we’re proud to help them on that journey.” Here are some facts for McDowell. Though Saudi Arabia and its proponents have long claimed that the kingdom is becoming more progressive, the conservative country’s human rights situation continues to deteriorate. In March, Saudi authorities
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