For Saudi Arabia, sport is the new oil

Turning the country into a global sporting hub, Mohammed bin Salman aims to diversify its economy and divert attention from its human rights record.
Saudi Arabia, the world’s second largest oil producer, has gone into overdrive in recent years in its efforts to become a global player in international sports. It has spent billions of dollars on high-profile deals for an image makeover that involves reducing the country’s overdependence on oil. But detractors say the kingdom is using sport in a desperate attempt to divert international focus from its poor human rights record
Until recently, the country was known for its oil and as the custodian of the two holy mosques, in Makkah and Medina that draw millions of Muslims to the country each year for Hajj and Umrah. The Saudi leadership’s championing of Wahhabism, however, has been criticised as many feel it is responsible for the spread of Islamic fundamentalism in the world. Its dubious track record on human rights and women’s freedoms has often led to stringent attacks by international rights groups, but Saudi Arabia is now making efforts to project itself as a moderate Islamic power and global sports hub.

Saudi Arabia has, in recent months, gone on a buying spree. In its effort to rejuvenate domestic football, it has picked up the most sought-after football stars for its local clubs. Some of the biggest names in world football—Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kanté, Sadio Mané, and several others—have been lured with million-dollar salaries and opulent mansions into signing up for major Saudi clubs.