IPOL-327-70 - Sports, Politics, and Society in the Middle East

Professor Danyel Reiche is Sports, Politics, and Society in the Middle East course offered a thorough examination of the Middle Eastern region's complex interplay of sports, politics, and gender. The course covered a variety of interesting topics, but the examination of Saudi Arabia's sponsorship of the Women's World Cup 2023 stood out the most to me.

The host countries, Australia and New Zealand, won the bid due to their dedication to women's empowerment. The bidding process, as revealed by Desjardins, highlighted the importance of gender equality. However, the controversy erupted when Saudi Arabia attempted to sponsor the event, prompting accusations of "sports-washing." 

The term referred to Saudi Arabia's alleged attempt to use the Women's World Cup to boost its image while diverting attention away from human rights violations and gender inequality. Australia was particularly vocal in its criticism of FIFA for allowing Saudi sponsorship, raising concerns about the hidden agenda behind it.

Australia and New Zealand refused to allow Saudi Arabia to use the event for political purposes, viewing it as a continuation of gender oppression. The host countries insisted that the sponsorship agreement contradicted their commitment to human rights and gender equality. They claimed that Saudi Arabia's participation violated the Women's World Cup's principles.

The debate exemplified the larger struggle between promoting women's empowerment and confronting countries with questionable human rights records. While Saudi Arabia's sponsorship aimed for cultural transformation, which was viewed as an economic opportunity and a step toward women's empowerment, Australia and New Zealand were skeptical. They saw it as an attempt to use sports to improve the country's image while ignoring underlying issues.

Finally, the course shed light on the complex relationship between sports, politics, and gender, providing a nuanced understanding of how international events such as the Women's World Cup can serve as platforms for larger societal debates. The Saudi sponsorship case highlighted the complexities and ethical considerations associated with promoting gender equality on a global scale.