NRL star Christian Welch defends golfers taking Saudi money in LIV Golf
Is accepting Saudi money by golfers and other athletes acceptable in sports? NRL star Christian Welch defends the same in favor of LIV Golfers
Christian Welch (Image via foxsport)
Recently, the controversial issue of golfers accepting Saudi money has been causing a stir, with NRL star Christian Welch coming forward to defend their decision to participate in LIV Golf. The inaugural Australian LIV Golf event held at the Grange course in Adelaide was a tremendous success, attracting thousands of fans who eagerly watched the players in action. However, the LIV Golf League has faced criticism due to its funding from Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund.
One of the main sources of opposition towards the league comes from human rights activists who have accused the Saudi government of committing gross human rights violations against its citizens. These violations include systematic education, religion, justice, and employment discrimination. Additionally, the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and mass executions have sparked a widespread call for boycotting anything associated with the Saudi Arabian government.
Despite the widespread criticism, Welch strongly defended the decision of golfers to participate in the LIV Golf event. During his appearance on the ABC show Offsiders, he emphasized that many ordinary Australians are also guilty of accepting money from Saudi Arabia. The NRL star further pointed out that judging the golfers’ decision in isolation is unfair, as there are various other factors to consider.
Related: LIV Golf’s striking debut in Adelaide interests New South Wales for future hostings
Is accepting Saudi money ethical for the golfers in LIV Golf?
Accepting Saudi money has stirred controversy, not only in professional sports but also in the corporate world. Many individuals and companies have been accused of accepting funds from Saudi Arabia despite the country’s poor human rights record. Some argue that taking Saudi money is synonymous with endorsing their actions, perpetrating the suffering of millions of people.
However, there are opposing views that hold individuals and companies should not be held responsible for the actions of a government. Proponents of this argument argue that many people accept funds from Saudi Arabia purely for financial reasons and that doing so does not necessarily mean they support the government’s policies.
The matter of accepting funds from Saudi Arabia is a multifaceted one, demanding a thoughtful reflection on the ethical ramifications. Undoubtedly, the Saudi government’s track record regarding human rights is abysmal. According to dailymail, it would be unjust to condemn those who receive monetary support from them without examining their reasons for doing so. Ultimately, it falls upon each person to determine if they are at ease with accepting Saudi money and to ponder over the possible outcomes of their choice.
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Rohit Jambhulkar
(1239 Articles Published)