The Politics of Sports
From Cricket Trophies to FIFA World Cups, sport is more than just a game.
Philip Vogsted, MSc Politics and International Relations 09/12/2024
Sports are celebrated as a unifying force, stretching across cultures, and political convictions. Yet, divisive or controversial political issues often intrude. Why? The answer is simple: sports can never be divorced from politics.
India’s national cricket team will not travel to Pakistan for the International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy 2025, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The PCB rejected hosting any matches outside Pakistan. India’s government continues to bar its national cricket team from touring Pakistan. This impasse leaves cricket fans wondering if India will even participate in the Champions Trophy next year, but it underscores how political tensions between the neighbouring countries shape sports.
India’s cricket team has not toured Pakistan in 16 years, reflecting a consistent policy amid strained relations. While this decision might have been anticipated, it still creates uncertainty in the cricket world. It is not the first time cricket has been affected by politics in India - it could be argued that cricket in the country is inherently political as there are strong ties between Indian politicians and the Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI). Besides, hosting the 2023 Cricket World Cup proved an excellent opportunity for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to consolidate power domestically, and reinforce India’s international status.
The politics of sports is not limited to state rivalry. Cases of sports and international sporting events being leveraged for political gain are countless. Two countries that have received great attention lately are Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Both have launched bids to host international sporting events, most famously perhaps the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, over which the host country faced intense criticism and boycott campaigns.
Often accused of “sportswashing”, it is important to broaden an analysis of these countries’ strategies to understand the politics of sports. Critics claim hosting events or acquiring assets obscures shady business and human rights abuse, pointing to FIFA World Cups in Russia and Qatar, or Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund’s purchase of the Newcastle United Football Club. In the case of Saudi Arabia and Qatar, however, it is important to recognise that soft power, sports diplomacy and branding are more likely causes of using sports for political gain.
No doubt, Qatar’s human rights record is poor and worthy of criticism, but have international sporting events become politicised because countries like Qatar seek to improve their human rights image? Criticism of Qatar’s human rights record skyrocketed in the years leading up to the World Cup. Yet, Qatar launched domestic reforms, especially related to labour migrants’ rights, in 2010 - the year it won the bid. It is possible Qatar saw sports as a way of improving its image, but it is more likely that the event was seen as an opportunity to contribute to the growth of Qatar’s international reputation.
Saudi Arabia’s investments in the sports sector also came about in conjunction with domestic reforms. Saudi Arabia’s “Vision 2030” programme aims to diversify the country’s economy, which depends almost exclusively on oil. Establishing a national sports sector and attracting investments through international sporting events is a step in the economic diversification strategy. Of course, Saudi investments in the sports sector and its bids to host international events have contributed to changing its reputation as a closed-off and conservative country. However, sports washing as motivation for the political use of sports is an inadequate explanation.
While security interests might be behind India’s decision not to send its team to Pakistan, cricket in South Asia continues to be a political arena. Similarly, reputation-building and branding play a role, but the sports sector represents a cornerstone in Saudi Arabia’s and Qatar’s long-term economic and political goals. Instead of striving to separate sports from politics, we should recognise their interplay as a unique opportunity. Sports can be a way to bridge divides, spark reform, and bring the world together on common ground.