Saudi Arabia has emerged as the only real contender to host the coveted 2034 World Cup, marking a outstanding triumph that comes on the heels of a collection of high-profile forays into the world of sports activities.
The conservative Gulf monarchy beneath Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) is now striving to redefine its picture, alluring vacationers and buyers whereas in search of to diversify its financial system past the realms of oil.
Here’s a deep dive into the strikes which have catapulted Saudi Arabia into the worldwide sports activities area:
Embracing the nippiness
Saudi Arabia, a nation predominantly composed of arid desert landscapes the place summer time temperatures soar to a blistering 50 levels Celsius (122 levels Fahrenheit), made an astonishing selection in October final yr.
They have been awarded the respect of internet hosting the 2029 Asian Winter Games, a call that despatched shockwaves via environmental advocates.
This chilly extravaganza is about to unfold in NEOM, an formidable $500 billion megacity beneath building destined to turn out to be a year-round winter sports activities hub.
As a prelude to the grand spectacle, Riyadh will play host to the 2034 Asian Games, a gargantuan multisport occasion slated for a similar yr because the World Cup.
Unveiling their grand aspirations, Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal declared, “Hosting an Olympics is the kingdom’s ultimate goal.”
F1 roar
The glitzy world of Formula One roared into Jeddah, a metropolis perched on the shores of the Red Sea and a gateway for Mecca-bound pilgrims, in 2021.
The night time race alongside the shoreline was nothing in need of a spectacle, one in every of 4 grand prix occasions gracing the rich Gulf area this yr.
However, the 2022 version was marred by a dramatic assault by Houthi rebels from Yemen, Saudi’s war-ravaged neighbor, which despatched plumes of black smoke billowing from oil services, seen from the circuit throughout follow classes.
Football’s extravagant affair
The Saudi Pro League, buoyed by the backing of the Public Investment Fund sovereign wealth car, launched into a unprecedented procuring spree.
It all began with Al-Nassr’s jaw-dropping acquisition of Cristiano Ronaldo in January, sealing a staggering two-and-a-half-year deal estimated at a staggering 400 million euros ($421.95 million).
This deal opened the floodgates, with Ballon d’Or holder Karim Benzema becoming a member of Al-Ittihad and Neymar departing the Qatar-owned Paris Saint-Germain for Al-Hilal.
A stream of different late-career luminaries adopted swimsuit, making their method to the Saudi Pro League.
In October 2021, lengthy earlier than the Pro League’s shopping for bonanza, a Saudi-backed consortium clinched a takeover of the English Premier League’s Newcastle United, concluding a protracted regulatory tussle.
The crew’s followers, usually dubbed a “sleeping giant,” rejoiced by adorning Arab headdresses at St. James’s Park stadium.
Subsequently, Newcastle’s fortunes soared, securing a spot within the present season’s Champions League.
Saudi Arabia is poised to host the Club World Cup on the yr’s finish, adopted by the 2027 Asian Cup, which now serves as a gown rehearsal for the World Cup.
Furthermore, they’re bidding to host the Women’s Asian Cup in 2026.
Golfing revolution
Saudi Arabia has revolutionized the panorama {of professional} golf, with the upstart LIV Golf making headlines.
Following a authorized conflict with the established US PGA and European excursions, LIV Golf introduced a sensational merger with its rivals in June.
This groundbreaking deal, set to finalize on the yr’s finish, follows a two-year civil battle spurred by LIV’s acquisition of gamers for astronomical sums, main the U.S. and European circuits to rule them ineligible for sure tournaments, together with Europe’s illustrious Ryder Cup.
Former world No. 1 Dustin Johnson reaped the rewards, amassing a jaw-dropping $35 million in prize cash throughout the inaugural season, along with a reported $150 million merely for agreeing to take part.
Boxing showdowns
Saudi Arabia has turn out to be the venue of selection for high-profile boxing clashes, the newest being world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury’s split-decision victory in a non-title bout towards MMA star Francis Ngannou. Anthony Joshua, one other British heavyweight, graced the Saudi ring twice, incomes profitable paydays whereas deflecting criticism regarding sportswashing allegations.
In December 2019, Joshua secured his redemption towards America’s Andy Ruiz on the King Abdullah Sports City, earlier than returning in August of the next yr to face a formidable opponent in Ukrainian maestro Oleksandr Usyk.
Tennis thrills
This yr, Jeddah will witness the Next Gen ATP Finals, showcasing the most well liked younger males’s tennis expertise and making a buzz within the tennis world.
Saudi Arabia was additionally a powerful contender to host this yr’s WTA Finals, till Cancun, Mexico, was named because the organizer.
Cricket sponsorship
In a stunning transfer, Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest oil exporter and one in every of its wealthiest firms, initiated sponsorship of main occasions organized by the International Cricket Council.
This consists of the boys’s and girls’s one-day and T20 World Cups.
Rugged terrain, Dakar rally
Saudi Arabia’s unforgiving terrain has been dwelling to the Dakar Rally since 2020, reworking the occasion’s panorama. Last yr’s version witnessed a second of controversy when French driver Philippe Boutron was critically wounded in an explosion attributable to an improvised explosive machine on his automotive, as decided by French investigators.
Racing royalty
In the world of horse racing, Saudi Arabia galloped to the forefront with the introduction of the $20 million Saudi Cup, formally the world’s richest race.
The 2021 and 2022 editions have been each received by Saudi-owned horses, with the 66-1 lengthy shot Emblem Road attaining a memorable victory final yr.
Japanese underdog Panthalassa triumphed on this yr’s race in February, additional cementing Saudi Arabia’s stature within the equestrian world.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
