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Saudi Arabia Hosts Indian Premier League Auction as Cricket Expands in the Kingdom

For the first time, Jeddah welcomes the IPL player auction as Saudi Arabia expands its sporting horizons. The kingdom seeks to boost its sports reputation while cricket gains popularity.
ND
by News Desk
2024-11-23
Saudi Arabia Hosts Indian Premier League Auction as Cricket Expands in the Kingdom

Saudi Arabia is making waves in the global sporting world by hosting the prestigious Indian Premier League (IPL) player auction in Jeddah, the first of its kind in the kingdom. The two-day auction, which begins Sunday, is part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s broader strategy to diversify the country’s economy away from oil reliance by investing heavily in sports.

The kingdom has made significant investments in various sports, including hosting major football events and attracting top athletes like Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar to its domestic football league. Critics, however, have raised concerns over “sportswashing,” accusing Saudi Arabia of using high-profile sporting events to improve its global image, especially in light of the country’s human rights record.

This year’s IPL auction sees 574 players, including top names like Rishabh Pant, James Anderson, and Mitchell Starc, among others, as they vie for contracts with IPL franchises. The auction will also provide a platform for young cricketers aiming to break into the global stage.

The IPL has become a billion-dollar enterprise since its inception in 2008, and the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) continues to expand its global reach by staging events like this in international venues. Saudi Arabia, with its large population of South Asian expatriates, is seen as a growing market for cricket, and hosting the auction underscores the country’s commitment to developing the sport.

The event is expected to increase the visibility of cricket in Saudi Arabia, with the Saudi Cricket Federation working to grow the sport locally through school programs and grassroots initiatives.

Saudi Arabia’s sports investments, which include football, boxing, tennis, and motorsports, reflect the country’s push to transform its image and economy under the Vision 2030 plan. The IPL auction marks another step in this vision, with the kingdom positioning itself as a global sporting destination.
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