Cover-up or inspiration (neue-deutschland.de)

Are these tournaments useful or are they just used? The best female golfers of the Ladies European Tour (LET) were asked this question when they were asked to decide whether they should take part in the Saudi Ladies’ International from this Thursday and in a week in the team competition of the same name in Saudi Arabia. The host country is known for the fact that human rights and especially women’s rights are poor there. The regime also uses the entertainment industry and major sporting events to artificially paint a cosmopolitan picture of itself. But even Regina Spöttl, Saudi Arabia expert at Amnesty International Germany, is not sure about the classification of the first professional golf tournament for women in the country: “Whether this is an example of whitewashing or, in the end, maybe good for the women in the country is complicated to answer. But one thing is clear: the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia is still very bad. Even if the Crown Prince likes to see himself as a reformer. “

In fact, Mohammed bin Salman recently scaled back some ultra-conservative religious principles. Women are now allowed to drive cars, go to football stadiums and travel alone. “But that cannot hide the fact that human rights have been even worse than before since he came to power in 2017,” says Spöttl. “The system of male guardianship is by no means abolished.” Accordingly, a woman can never become fully competent. “Your male guardian, be it your father, husband or brother, has to allow what you want to do in your life: studying, getting married or even becoming a professional golf player.” In addition, women are hardly protected from domestic violence.

Sports are also severely restricted for women in Saudi Arabia. Swimming pools and gyms are reserved for men only. »Women soccer players only play in long pants and hijabs. Women also do athletics, dressed only in a ‘manner’ manner. Often enough things are not explicitly forbidden; But there are simply no opportunities for women to practice certain types of sport, ”reports Spöttl.

The organizers oppose such arguments that this golf tournament should counteract precisely that. As part of the event, a program will be started that gives 1000 citizens a free membership in a golf club including coaching lessons. Without a doubt, a step in the right direction. The fact that this program is called “Ladies First” is a problem in Saudi Arabia of all places.

Local women are still not allowed to wear shorts. But the foreign golf professionals do. They only have to reach above the knee. Short-sleeved shirts are also allowed. In December, players were warned that the dress code would be strict. LET boss Alexandra Armas defended the compromise negotiated in the British daily newspaper “Daily Telegraph”: “The dress code will respect local customs. The players won’t have to wear a headscarf, however. «Fans on site will not notice that because of the corona crisis, none are allowed in the Royal Greens Golf Club, 100 kilometers north of Jeddah on the Red Sea. The tournament should be shown live on television.

Most athletes have decided to take part in the tournaments, which are endowed with a total of 1.5 million US dollars, even though they were recently called for a boycott by almost 2,000 signatories of an online petition via Twitter. “We understand you have a lot to gain, especially a lot of money,” it said. “On the other hand, you also have a lot to lose, especially a clear conscience.” A rethink was not achieved.

“I hate to comment on political issues. I’ll just play a golf tournament and try to win it, “said the Spaniard Carlota Ciganda of” USA Today “. World stars such as Enrique Iglesias, Mariah Carey, Andrea Bocelli and David Guetta are likely to have argued in a similarly apolitical manner when they accepted invitations to concerts in the Kingdom in recent years. Spain’s soccer Supercup was also moved here in 2020. For critics, these were clear examples of whitewashing.

Welsh golfer Amy Boulden, however, believes the upcoming tournaments are different. As an ambassador for the organizer “Golf Saudi”, she gave golf lessons to young Saudi girls. Instead of hushing up, she sees “inspiration and empowerment” of young women, said the 27-year-old. England star Laura Davis blew in the same horn. “I’m on the side of those who try to initiate change than to say: They only use us,” she told the magazine “Golfweek”.

Less successful players are likely to find it even more difficult to cancel than the stars. The pandemic canceled half the season. The game has been back since August, but in the few remaining tournaments the best in the world rankings occupy all starting places. When the Saudis then wave away with $ 1.5 million in prize money, it’s not easy to say no.

But not all followed the call of money. Mel Reid canceled because homosexuality is banned in Saudi Arabia. The Englishwoman came out in 2018. “It would be immoral for me to play there,” she told the “golf week.” Compatriot Meghan MacLaren added: “I believe Saudi Arabia is just using the sport. I wouldn’t feel like being a part of it. “

Lina al-Hathloul will be happy to hear that, as she launched another call for a boycott. Her sister Loujain is Saudi Arabia’s most famous prisoner. “The lifting of the driving ban for women went hand in hand with the arrest of the activists around Loujain al-Hathloul, who made it possible in the first place,” recalls Amnesty’s Regina Spöttl. Eleven women had been filmed driving a car. They also called for the end of the guardianship system. “They were arrested for this in April 2018, and three months later the ban on women driving was lifted, but al-Hathloul and four other activists are still in custody without legal counsel,” said Spöttl.

Two weeks ago, al-Hathloul went on a hunger strike, and her sister pleaded with golfers in the English media: “My sister is being tortured. I know that sport can build bridges between cultures. But living conditions for women are deteriorating. Don’t go to Saudi Arabia, don’t help this barbaric regime to wash its reputation! ”Wrote Lina al-Hathloul.