Tennis Related - Off Court Serious Issues

[ti-amie]

So now it's all better right?

[Suliso]

Saudi government wishes to rebrand the country as a major tourism and investment destination and they have lots of money. So...

[meganfernandez]

Serious and possibly stupid question - are there likely Middle East investments in the average IRA, 401K or mutual fund? How many people know what they are really invested in?


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[skatingfan]

The WTA will hold its Finals in Riyadh from 2024 through 2026.
That is the same thing as holding the awards ceremonies for a journalism prize in Pyongyang. Or Havana.

Every year at the WTA Finals the players pose for a series of photos in gowns that would be against the law for people to wear in public in Saudi Arabia. Will the players be arrested? Will they be forced to cover up when the take the court? Will they be required to cover their hair, and faces while outside of the tournament area like at the hotel, or the airport? What about the women on their team, or the officials for the tournament? Will women be allowed to attend the matches, and walk around freely, and will they be required to cover up as well? What about players from the queer community? I know this is all about the money that the Saudis can pay, but this just doesn't make any sense.

[nelslus]

Serious and possibly stupid question - are there likely Middle East investments in the average IRA, 401K or mutual fund? How many people know what they are really invested in?


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I do. And, no way in hell would I invest in anything immoral. I might be willing to sell myself on the streets (or, frankly, any of you) for a good sandwich. BUT, I still have my standards.

[ashkor87]

I for one am going to boycott this event...won't even look it up or comment on it

[Suliso]

The WTA will hold its Finals in Riyadh from 2024 through 2026.
That is the same thing as holding the awards ceremonies for a journalism prize in Pyongyang. Or Havana.

Every year at the WTA Finals the players pose for a series of photos in gowns that would be against the law for people to wear in public in Saudi Arabia. Will the players be arrested? Will they be forced to cover up when the take the court? Will they be required to cover their hair, and faces while outside of the tournament area like at the hotel, or the airport? What about the women on their team, or the officials for the tournament? Will women be allowed to attend the matches, and walk around freely, and will they be required to cover up as well? What about players from the queer community? I know this is all about the money that the Saudis can pay, but this just doesn't make any sense.

Yes to most of that I think. One rule for Saudis, another for privileged foreigners. Like in Dubai or Qatar.

Players will live in their bubbles and will hardly notice anything is different. Unless they choose to.

[Owendonovan]

The flexibility of their religion to benefit the government makes me think the religion isn't actually important to the government, just the application of its rules when it benefits them. There's always exceptions to benefit those on top in religion. What a load.

[ashkor87]

The flexibility of their religion to benefit the government makes me think the religion isn't actually important to the government, just the application of its rules when it benefits them. There's always exceptions to benefit those on top in religion. What a load.

acually,my understanding is they use religion to keep the flock in line..

[Owendonovan]

The flexibility of their religion to benefit the government makes me think the religion isn't actually important to the government, just the application of its rules when it benefits them. There's always exceptions to benefit those on top in religion. What a load.

acually,my understanding is they use religion to keep the flock in line..

Yes, only the general public needs to follow the religion to a T, those in government don't.

[skatingfan]

Yes, only the general public needs to follow the religion to a T, those in government don't.

We also have to be clear that the 'government' is the House of Saud, and the House of Saud has had many members who have not followed the rules that the population is required to over the years. If they get too out of line they just have them killed. It's really War of the Roses type stuff from time to time when it suits those in line for the throne.

[ti-amie]

I will have to keep track of this event because of TAT but other than posting about it I will not watch one second of it.

[ponchi101]

Worked enough in the Middle East to attest to the hypocrisy of the region.
No alcohol? Sure, until you walk into any of the fancy international hotels. And many more examples that at the moment I am too tired to list.

[ti-amie]

Worked enough in the Middle East to attest to the hypocrisy of the region.
No alcohol? Sure, until you walk into any of the fancy international hotels. And many more examples that at the moment I am too tired to list.

I read about this "compound" in either Qatar or UAE that is walled (IIRC) and patrolled by armed guards 24/7. Within its walls foreigners would never know they weren't in some exclusive tropical paradise (And yeah I know about those too. They work the same as this one.)

[Suliso]

My mom and sister have been to a beach resort in UAE. These are rather popular with Europeans and no they don't need to be guarded like that. Let's not exaggerate folks.

In Saudi maybe...