Saudi Arabia have their eye on hosting the Olympic Games and officials hope that the Asian Games in 2034 will prove that the country can hold such an event.
Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal says the country is moving towards a 'better way of life' and hosting major sporting events benefits the country, amid a growing portfolio of events. Prince Abdulaziz was speaking as Anthony Joshua fought against Oleksandr Usyk in Jeddah on Saturday night.
However, the Middle Eastern nation has been accused of using sport as a distraction from human rights abuses, a practice commonly referred to as sportswashing, despite claims their society is improving.
The Saudi-backed LIV Golf series has caused controversy in the golfing world while the country also held the Saudi Arabian GP for the first time last year. A report last year from The Guardian revealed Saudi had spent $1.5billion (£1.2bn) on sportswashing.
The country will also host the Asian Games in 2034 which Prince Abdulaziz said will be their 'main focus'.
"We’re open to discuss with the IOC about this (Olympics) for the future. I think Saudi Arabia has showcased that we can host such events," he added. “Definitely, the Olympics would be an ultimate goal for us. But we’re open to that and I think we can.”
The country has been criticised for its human rights record but Prince Abdulaziz says the country is 'progressing'
“We’re moving towards a better society, we’re moving towards a better quality of life, a better country, for the future,” he added. And the facts show that hosting these events benefit our people and benefit these changes that are happening and benefits living in Saudi.”
The Saudi-back LIV Golf series will be played in Jeddah between October 14 and 16 later this year and Prince Abdulaziz wasn't expecting such opposition to the series.
“I think that if there’s a benefit for the sport, then why not, whoever does it," he added. “If it benefits the athletes, if it benefits the sport, attracts more attention to the sport, attracts more people that want to participate in the sport, that will grow the sport for everyone.”
