IPL auction lands in Saudi Arabia amid sportswashing debate

For the first time, Saudi Arabia is hosting the Indian Premier League (IPL) player auction, marking a milestone for the kingdom as it seeks to establish itself as a global hub for sports.

The two-day event in Jeddah, starting Sunday, reflects the IPL’s expanding international influence and Saudi Arabia's efforts to boost its sports portfolio.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has driven Saudi Arabia’s ambitious investments in sports, part of a broader plan to diversify the kingdom’s economy beyond oil.

These investments include securing the rights to host the FIFA World Cup in 2034 and recruiting global sports stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar.

However, critics accuse Saudi Arabia of "sportswashing," using high-profile events to distract from its human rights record and controversies, including the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The IPL auction is a significant addition to Saudi Arabia's growing sports lineup. Prince Saud bin Mishal, chairman of the Saudi Cricket Federation, emphasized the event's importance, stating it underscores the kingdom’s commitment to developing cricket and hosting world-class sporting events.

Saudi Arabia has a notable fanbase for cricket, thanks to its sizable population of South Asian expatriate workers from countries like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Non-Saudi nationals make up over 40% of the population, according to the 2022 census, creating a built-in audience for the sport.

In addition to catering to this existing interest, Saudi authorities are working to make cricket more popular among locals. The Saudi Cricket Federation has initiated programs to introduce the sport in schools, aiming to change perceptions of cricket as merely a "street game," according to federation head coach Kabir Khan.

The IPL, known for its massive revenue generation, has partnered with Saudi entities like Visit Saudi and energy giant Aramco. Hosting the auction in Jeddah aligns with the kingdom’s goals while giving the IPL a broader international profile.

Ayaz Memon, a veteran cricket journalist, highlighted the mutual benefits of this collaboration. "Saudi authorities want to promote sports domestically, while the IPL gains greater global awareness," he said.

This isn't the IPL's first international venture. Last year’s auction was held in Dubai, which, like Saudi Arabia, has a large migrant worker population and serves as a regular host for international cricket tournaments.