UAE denies Israeli tennis player visa
The Israeli tennis star, Shahar Peer, has been refused entry to the UAE to compete in the two million dollar Dubai Open, which started in the emirate on Sunday.
The world number 48 has been denied a visa by the Gulf state's authorities, prompting a strongly worded response from the Women's Tennis Association (WTA), which runs the women's tour.
The blocking of Peer is a surprise because she was given a visa to play in the Qatar Open in Doha last year, a visit which was a considerable success both in tennis and diplomatic terms.
But the change in relations between Israel and neighbouring states, following the recent Gaza conflict, is almost certainly the reason for a change of attitude in the United Arab Emirates, according to AFP.
http://www.arabianbusiness.com/546843-israeli-tennis-player-denied-entry...
for showing me the true picture of Arab world and its ground realities....
I really felt ignorant about the palestine- Arab-Israel issues.
I do believe it is a mistake by UAE to break contract with WTA by denying Israeli player visa but it is in the interest of majority of its citizens. Hence the fine imposed should not be a burden to them. I also hope that they are prepared to loose any future events forcing the sports asssociations to find alternate ways to deal with middle east. Yes, these associations do need ME as much as ME needs them. Contracts do break for various reasons.
Western teams don't visit pakistan when a bomb explodes there but they think its obligaotry to visit India when the same thing happense there. Well, they do have a reason to do that and so does the middle east. Its for the understanding of all.
keep it up UAE
fear and good
keep it up UAE
wish all middel east country will do the seme.
Arab nations and Muslim people could show some solidarity, more than they have thus far on any issue (honestly, I've never seen such infighting among a people!). And while I would certainly maintain that the UAE (and all other countries) have a right to protest actions they find distasteful and offensive, they need to do so mindful that others may not agree with them, realizing that there may well be consequences and a backlash to their protests.
Case in point: in denying a visa to Shahar and BREAKING a contract that they agreed to, they incur a financial penalty and perhaps jeopardize future possibilities to host events in their country. So I agree with PM -- there's no basis for them to protest the $300,000 fine they got. They earned it by breaking contract, plain and simple.
gesture by social boycott / apply sanctions atleast by the muslim nations.
However, there should be solidarity to be shown by all GCC countries rather UAE alone.
Fined amount, should be protested.
The recent gaza massacre and killing of innocents are still fresh in the mind of muslims around the world and will take some time to heal such pain.
When diplomatic relation become sour, the sword first fall on sportsperson and sports event. there is nothing wrong against any individual person (its Shshar Pe'er or ABCD?).
It is a hostile gesture by UAE to Israel that international muslim community is not going to support any more in any international event.
How exactly was allowing Shahar Pe'er to attend this international tennis tournament an assault against the UAE? I'd love to hear your reasoning...
a high cost of US$ 300k; Defending themselve as one of the Muslim Middle East country.
"The WTA yesterday fined Dubai Tennis Championships organizers a record $300,000 - more than double its previous high - after Israeli player Shahar Peer was denied a visa by the United Arab Emirates earlier this week.
The WTA also took steps to compensate Peer and ensure she and other Israeli players won’t be shut out of future tournaments in the federation. The UAE and Israel do not have diplomatic relations.
Also, U.S. star Andy Roddick said he wouldn’t defend his Dubai title next week.
“I really didn’t agree with what went on over there. I don’t know if it’s the best thing to mix politics and sports, and that was probably a big part of it,” Roddick said after beating fellow American Sam Querrey 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 to reach the semifinals of the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships in Memphis, Tenn."
(http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/other_sports/tennis/view/2009_02_21_Dubai_tourney_fined__loses_Andy_Roddick/)
I don't think WTA will preserve any honor by allowing such a speech. Itwill be a stupid effort on part of the winner.
Countries do honor the world achievers as a mark of respect to them. It will definitely be foolish to hurt local's sentiments...
ajinasma1 - I suggest you read up on why those teams chose not to play in Zimbabwe and Pakistan. One was in protest at the leadership of the country and the other was over safety concerns. Racism didn't come in to it.
Thanks for sharing this article
Dont worry it wont happen.
As always, any smooth reaction againt the permanet "victim" sees lots of reactions...Now when it comes to the consquences' speach which you love....I am confident for "this part of the world" ;)
Why England and Ausis not played in Zimbambway?
Why Australia/England canceled the Pakistan Cricket tour?
It was revealed before that there are racial,and other factors affecting the sports especially from the west.So this is only a small matter compared with that..
Nothing will happen to the world..
Why England and Ausis not played in Zimbambway?
Why Australia/England canceled the Pakistan Cricket tour?
It was revealed before that there are racial,and other factors affecting the sports especially from the west.So this is only a small matter compared with that..
Nothing will happen to the world..
Just came across this online. Wouldn't this be hysterical if it actually happened?
It won't happen, but my secret fantasy here is that the winner on Sunday takes the microphone on court as she accepts her $350,000 first prize and tells the crowd: "I want to congratulate my opponent on a great tournament, thank the sponsors and you, the fans, and I intend to donate this entire check to the Association for Disabled Israeli Soldiers. Thank you and have a nice day."
http://www.tennisnews.com/exclusive.php?pID=27349
Instead of actually doing something meaningful or substantial to help the Palestinians, they deny a visa to an Israeli tennis player a month after the Gaza offensive.
Ooooh...that'll show 'em!
It's funny -- I was noticing that the topic for the most recent Doha Debate was "This House believes that after Gaza, Arab unity is dead and buried."
AFTER Gaza? There never was any Arab unity before...but they're sure trying to scramble around now and make it appear like they're all behind one another on this issue.
Refusing visa has nothing to do with nationalities, refusing visa takes place everyday everywher, How many african inetrnational soccer players saw their visa refused in Europe and UK ????
once again its politcally correct!
Lol, i should advise that Israel soccer team is quite strong, if compared to any of the other teams except japan and south korea, thjey have even beaten france at last european qualifiers
Only God Can Judge Me
الله فقط يمكنه محاكمتي
I am you and you are me, if you love i love, if you suffer i suffer
أنا أنت, و أنت أنا, إذا أحببت نفسك أحببت نفسي, إذا عانيتَ عانيتُ
"Maybe everything could be settled on the football pitch...?'
yeah, but what if Israel won?
"Deaths in the Bible. God - 2,270,365
not including the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or the
many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc because no specific numbers
were given. Satan - 10."
I hardly see Israel playing in iraq or Iran...I think they would get visas....but surely they wont use them!!
"why the heck the Israeli soccer team is not part of the Middle east confederation"
for their own saftey
"Deaths in the Bible. God - 2,270,365
not including the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or the
many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc because no specific numbers
were given. Satan - 10."
I totally understand the UAE decision, in is for her own safety, and the safe haven reputation of the UAE, rather then the sports reputation...
By the way, why the heck the Israeli soccer team is not part of the Middle east confederation, rather it is part of the Europeen confederation?!!
to bar someone purely on their nationality, anything but.
"Deaths in the Bible. God - 2,270,365
not including the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or the
many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc because no specific numbers
were given. Satan - 10."
I agree :)
Just want to add that...
I dont see it as an "action" or "gesture" it's more like an understanding implicit message and I have to repeat that it's politcally correct that's why I support it
That's why streets wont feel "happy" it's too smooth to make peolpe react
Great :)
but I dont agree that it will be major consquences of course its sad but I support it !
" this part of the world still needs to learn'' please stop with this arrogant attitude! This wouldnt help the debate
Of course they will lose! This region is dying to make a name for itself on the world stage.
Why else do you think the Gulf have built indoor ski slopes and ginormous shopping malls and Al Jazeera News and the world's tallest buildings, and brought in the Louvre and Cornell Medical College and the like to set up shop?
They're hungry for recognition, to be known as something more than just a bunch of rich Arabs.
Hosting international sporting events is one major area they've chosen to develop.
If granting a visa to a certain nationality goes against UAE state policy, then they should have bowed out of hosting the tourney, knowing full well that Peer (being a top-ranked player) would apply to attend.
Instead, they chose to play politics, and to do it at the last minute when it would have created huge difficulties for the WTF to cancel the event at that point.
No one is denying that other nations (my own among them) have similarly marred sporting events by dragging politics into them; we're all saying that it sucks when countries do it, and that it's unfair.
You can buy lots of things, but you can't buy a good reputation. That has to be earned and made. And that is a lesson that this part of the world still needs to learn, unfortunately.
Do you think that Emaritis politics did not think about what they are going to win and loose before taking such an action???
I support it!!
It's a politcally correct gesture, all they have to say to ATP, US, ISRALE.....that this player is in danger, its too dangerous to let this player participate in this trnmt they can find a bilion way and they are not going to loose anything...
They found out about the ban one day before the tournament started - so you are right they would have lost a lot of money. Now they have a whole year to find a new venue.
Dubai will lose out in prestige, other sports will now reconsider hosting events in Dubai if they can not guarantee smooth running of events.
So Dubai will lose out financially over time. But hey they made a stand and have to live with the fall out.
"Deaths in the Bible. God - 2,270,365
not including the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or the
many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc because no specific numbers
were given. Satan - 10."
All I know is that the US President; British PM and others came to Dubai begging for money not so long ago...
Secondly no sporting federation should ever be allowed to interfere in a State's policy..
Thirdly as pointed out by UKEng..stop the bloody hypocrisy...
fourthly..Dubai and the Arab world will not lose anything from not hosting such events....
Well if WTA are so concerned about it - why dont they just cancel the tournament? They will not because this is one of the biggest money spinner for them.
If Tennis channel does not show it, again is Dubai at a loss? Only the viewers are at a loss there.
Tennis is anyway something for the rich in this part of Asia. HOw many millions see it?
Trust me -- Israel has got the best security of any country on the globe. They wouldn't send any of their more prominent citizens or public figures there without a personal body guard (or two or three).
Plus the host country would be obligated, I think, to provide armed escorts for "special" VIPs like her, as well.
She'd be fine if she'd gotten the visa.
But they just want to be wankers about it...
England did not visit Zimbabwe to play cricket
India recently did not tour Pakistan
Almost every country boycotted South Africa for many years
US and Cuba Brit has already mentioned..
Politics and Sports go hand in hand...
-----------------
HE WHO DARES WINS
Calamity: ok, got it :) I think the same, politics should be apart from any other matters like sports and religion :)
Only God Can Judge Me
الله فقط يمكنه محاكمتي
I am you and you are me, if you love i love, if you suffer i suffer
أنا أنت, و أنت أنا, إذا أحببت نفسك أحببت نفسي, إذا عانيتَ عانيتُ
Saying that, I don't think politics should come into sport. It is all about bringing people together not seperating them.
I did not make that decsion, somebody else did!
Calamity: Regret to tell you this, but following same idea, after the terrorist attacks made by islamists in the Western, muslim athletes shouldn't be allowed to participate due to "security reasons".
But like you may have noticed, even Iran was allowed to participate in the Olympics and in world soccer championship.
Only God Can Judge Me
الله فقط يمكنه محاكمتي
I am you and you are me, if you love i love, if you suffer i suffer
أنا أنت, و أنت أنا, إذا أحببت نفسك أحببت نفسي, إذا عانيتَ عانيتُ
The male Israeli doubles player Ram is awaiting his clearence for next weeks mens tournament in Dubai. They can't really grant him o visa whilst refusing his female countrywoman the previous week.
According to this report Dubai have already blown it for both tournaments in 2010 - they will be cancelled.
"As for the ATP's position on Ram's involvement next week, Dent said: "As soon as we know what his status is, the ATP will be issuing a statement."
The WTA probably got off lightly in terms of calls for a boycott of the event because news of Peer's visa being refused came just a day before the tournament started, and with virtually all the players present and the logistics completed - including the tournament draw with her name in it.
As for Ram, the ATP probably hopes the ruling on his visa is dragged out as long as possible. With play beginning Monday, the sooner it comes, if it is a refusal, the longer the ATP will be under pressure to cancel the event in protest.
That is unlikely with it being one of the 500-level events, the ATP's second most-lucrative category.
What seems sure is neither the men's nor the women's tours will to return to Dubai next year.
Even if they were given iron-clad assurances that Israelis would be allowed to play, based on the way Peer has been treated (and with the same likely to happen to Ram), how could they believe that would actually happen? The risk to the credibility and integrity of the sport would simply be too great."
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20090217.TEBBUTT17/TPStory/Sports
"Deaths in the Bible. God - 2,270,365
not including the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or the
many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc because no specific numbers
were given. Satan - 10."
it was down to her safety. She could have been a target of a hate attack etc. Feelings run deep and raw in this part of the world over Jews.
Saying that, I don't think politics should come into sport. It is all about bringing people together not seperating them.
he is like a mirage.
The mods should have left his Al Qaeda tennis player comment there - it was sooooooo ridiculous
"Deaths in the Bible. God - 2,270,365
not including the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or the
many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc because no specific numbers
were given. Satan - 10."
Adey: lol, airsupply will never change :)
Only God Can Judge Me
الله فقط يمكنه محاكمتي
I am you and you are me, if you love i love, if you suffer i suffer
أنا أنت, و أنت أنا, إذا أحببت نفسك أحببت نفسي, إذا عانيتَ عانيتُ
didn't know their was such a State!
They don't play tennis - too busy molesting their goats and intimidating locals to pick up a racket
"Deaths in the Bible. God - 2,270,365
not including the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or the
many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc because no specific numbers
were given. Satan - 10."
Eve: If they have security issues than, no international sport competition will be held on such a country.
That movie maker is going to an international movie festival organized by a non british organization?
Airsupply: Al Qaeda has a tenis team? What country do those players represent?
Only God Can Judge Me
الله فقط يمكنه محاكمتي
I am you and you are me, if you love i love, if you suffer i suffer
أنا أنت, و أنت أنا, إذا أحببت نفسك أحببت نفسي, إذا عانيتَ عانيتُ
C4: Hello airsupply, we were all asking how long would you take to come back. Do you intend to stay long or breaking another record for being banned?
Now, back to the subject, sports, just like religion, shouldn't be mixed up with politics.
Only God Can Judge Me
الله فقط يمكنه محاكمتي
I am you and you are me, if you love i love, if you suffer i suffer
أنا أنت, و أنت أنا, إذا أحببت نفسك أحببت نفسي, إذا عانيتَ عانيتُ
Well WTA will lose a lot of money that would have been getting from UAE. Thats why they went ahead with the tournament anyway. Money Rules...........
Another Dutch moviemaker has not been allowed in England as they said he might cause civil disobedience. Maybe UAE is also being careful of her safety, given the Gaza tragedy.
...why countries that refuse to grant visas to Israeli athletes, in violation of WTA rules, get penalized for breaking tournament regulations.
I guess it's fully within ANYONE'S rights to break a contract, but then that person/group/country has to suffer the consequences of that decision.
I guess the UAE will soon find out whether or not this was a smart move on their part, whether the brief public approval they got for such a gesture is worth the international and financial fall-out they'll suffer.
'Scott said the WTA decided to continue with the tournament to avoid hurting the other players already in Dubai. That decision was taken in consultation with Peer.
"She didn't want to see her fellow players harmed the same way she was being harmed," Scott said.'
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=3911111&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines
Way to go Dubai.
When the player that's been treated unfairly reacts in a more magnanimous fashion than the country that just refused her entry, this makes the country look even MORE narrow-minded and discriminatory.
Man...this on top of the lashings for the incest/rape victims is REALLY providing great PR for the UAE.
i think that there is an invisible line between sports and politics and one should not interfere with the affairs of the other to avoid conflict. and see what happens now in Dubai.
btw, please note:
"Sania Mirza of India, were forced to split because of objections from Indian Muslims ", not from Israeli jews..
*********************
“You become responsible forever for what you have tamed”. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
The Tennis Channel will not televise the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships this week to protest the United Arab Emirates’ refusal to grant an entry visa to the Israeli player Shahar Peer.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/17/sports/tennis/17tennis.html?_r=1&partner=MOREOVERNEWS&ei=5040
good to hear that Dubai faces censure over Peer ban, tallg! thanks for info
*********************
“You become responsible forever for what you have tamed”. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
You can't teach experience...
It's shocking some of the stuff this girl has to put up with just because of her nationality;
Peer's nationality has caused her heartache on the tennis tour before. In 2006, she and her doubles partner, Sania Mirza of India, were forced to split because of objections from Indian Muslims. And just last month, Peer faced a noisy protest in Auckland, New Zealand, over Israel's Gaza invasion.
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/israels-peer-hurt-by-dubai-tennis-ban-20090217-89f8.html
That's why it was so nice to read about her experience in Doha last year; http://www.qatarliving.com/news/76562/match-point
I really hope Qatar don't follow the UAEs lead on this.
Dubai faces censure over Peer ban
Dubai could be removed from the women's tennis calendar in 2010 after Israeli Shahar Peer was refused entry to the United Arab Emirates.
WTA chief executive Larry Scott said women's tennis's governing body will consider "what types of sanctions are going to be deemed to be appropriate".
He said that would include "whether the tournament has a slot on the calendar".
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7891164.stm
They'll lose the respect of many people, and they may lose the tennis tournament, and they may lose the right to host future sporting events. As they're using sport as one of the ways to make a name for themselves I'd say they've got a lot to lose.
Whose loss is it anyway? IS the DUbai govt going to lose any money on that? I think rather the government can save themselves millions which they have to give as appearance money and the prize money. At least it can be used for much better purpose..........
The fact is that they have only a few means to frustrate Israel. It is their own frustration. And what people do out of frustration? only mistakes....
the uae actions will boomerang back to them. such action bring no positive impact on both sides. WTA should demand the retrieval of the decision unless they will have no future Tennis WTA games in Dubai.
whatever..UAE is hosting a WTA tour so it is obliged to follow WTA policies.. if they can't do it, scrap the game altogether.
whenever the diplomatic relationship between countries get sour...the first sword fall on Sports & sportsperson.
Whether it is South Africa in before 90's or latest Indo-Pak relationship broke all sports ties.
Arab-Jew nations stand on sports? nothing new....
Hope will get relaxed with Time...the GAZA injury is still fresh among the Middle East muslim nations.
so I will be kind to you!!!!!!!!!!!
"dgoodrebel will always be the rebellious good one"
removed by mod
what's happening to our world now??????????? Good governance or good r.....e?
"dgoodrebel will always be the rebellious good one"
You said, "One can understand such immature decisions coming from the UAE..."
I don't understand that decision at all.
Seems pretty childish, on your part, calling Americans names like that.
Grow up dude.
It will be interesting to see what happens now.
WTA rules insist that any player should be allowed to play at any event on the tour.
The UAE could ofcourse use a technicality to deny her the visa and then step back at the last moment.
You never did ask for my candy, not even once.
I'll give you for free all my jaw breakers....
As I said, I would like to have sport free from politics, but in reality, governments everywhere can and do "influence" decisions on participation.
These Americans are crazy. One can understand such immature decisions coming from the UAE which is ruled by a few persons. But when a big democracy like America which has a system in place for making their rules comes up with such policies, it proves that they have nothing but horsedung in their head.
In my junior school I noticed similar behaviour from tiny girls who used to cross their fingers at you and say "I won't talk to you or play with you because you did not share your candy"
Thanks for the clarification..
regarding Zimbabwe cricket, the decision not to tour was taken by the English cricket board in "consultation" with the government. The cancellation was not on the grounds of danger , but as a moral stand.
IT is the 21st century Britexpat not the medieval ages. I'm with you in not using sports as politics. Yet, is happening again.
Few historical summer Olympic boycotts.
The 1976 Summer Olympics had a couple of incidents,
Wikepedia information:
The Republic of China (Taiwan) team withdrew after Canada's Liberal-led government, under Pierre Elliott Trudeau, informed it that it could not compete under the name "Republic of China".
This was done because Canada officially recognized the People's Republic of China. Canada did try to compromise by saying that the people of the Republic of China could retain their national flag and anthem, but they refused.
African boycott
In protest at a tour of South Africa by the New Zealand All Blacks rugby union team early in the year, Congo's official Jean Claude Ganga led a boycott of 28 African nations as the IOC refused to bar the New Zealand team. Some of the nations (including Morocco, Cameroon and Egypt) had already participated, however, as the teams withdrew only after the first day. From Southern and Central Africa, only Senegal and Ivory Coast took part. Both Iraq and Guyana also opted to join the Congolese-led boycott.
================================
The 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow.
The US led boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, due to the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan.
=================================
The 1984 Summer Olympics in Lo Angeles
Then the Soviet-led boycott of the 1984 Summer Olympics in Lo Angeles. The boycott involved 14 Eastern Bloc countries and allies, including the Soviet Union, Cuba and East Germany (but not Romania),
==================================
Here is another pointer Britexpat.
The US hosted the worlds little league baseball tournament and Cuba participated in full. Including pre-qualifications and demo games around the 50 STATES.
In my life time, i had the honor to work as a volunteer twice for one Pan-American game and the Atlanta summer Olympic games. I had a blast in both of them.
I don't know about _all_ sporting events, but they were certainly included in the Atlanta Olympics:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuba_at_the_1996_Summer_Olympics
It seems from further reading that the US doesn't have sanctions against Cuban sport, but Cuba itself stops athletes from travelling to competitions in the USA. "The government of Cuba however, will not be sending competitors to the 'World Boxing Championships, based in the U.S. city of Chicago from October 21 to November 3; this to avoid the 'theft' of athletes.'" [source]
As far as know, there are no sanctions against Zim cricket. No one wants to play there because it's dangerous, not because Mugabe is a nutter.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi have to decide for themselves whether to allow Israeli sportsmen and women into the country. However, as I said up the page, it's going to do more damage to their reputation as hosts of major events than it will do to Israel's economy or culture.
We want those cigars and vintage cars...:)
You can't teach experience...
It is not just Black and White. is it ?.
In principle, i am against against using sports for politics, but I supported the boycott of South Africa during appartheid and also the sanctions against Zimbabwe's cricketers.
This, perhaps is double standards. I see the same in people accepting the USA position regarding Cuba, yet complaining about UAE and Israel.
Oh No! not with sports..
PM
I agree with you that the Embargo of the US to Cuba must end, but as long there is a Castro regime, it will be on place. We all know that the cold era is over, lets not forget Castro Communism party commitment and anti-American political influences in Latin America.
Leaders such as Venezuela's President and the new Bolivian president aliment with Cuba.
Speaking about the Cuban Athletes participation.
The problems with the Cuban athletes in able to participate in any event in USA soil, only happens when the US is hosting the Olympics or the Pan American games.
The problem of the Cuban athletes, when they see the first opportunity to defect from Cuba, they will do it. For that reason the Castro Regime has taken a hard stand against those dissident athletes. They are very careful where and when those athletes are send overseas.
You can all go to Cuba very easily from Mexico - cancun/merida or the cayman islands
Lovely place
it’s ok, brit.. Cubanos don’t go to USA , and vice versa, Americans don’t go to Cuba.. in this situation Canadians win .. that’s why vacation in Cuba is so cheap... other than USA only Canada is around..:) Accommodation in great resort, all inclusive : unlimited food, unlimited booze, entertainment nonstop, for 1 week + (plus!) the return flight for about….500 bucks, eh? USA can keep banning cuba for the benefit of Canada...:)
*********************
“You become responsible forever for what you have tamed”. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Britexpat said
Pardon my ignorance,but can Cuban athletes come and play in the USA ??
Could you tell us why?
But first, lets talk about Castro and his regime.
Oh sorry PM, I just changed my comment, but yes, I was speaking in general, not in regards to the Gaza/Israel/Palestine issue.
Nations politicizing sports is not new or unique to the UAE, but I would prefer this kind of protest rather than what we saw in Munich.
My personal belief is that it's just not fruitful to mix sports and politics.
oh, here we go...
Oh my god!
The Queen of the Super Market has spoken.....
I wonder what the objective is when nations politicize sports, whether it be the US or the UAE?
hmm, just curious.
lol britexpat, you certainly bring some food-for-thought on a lot of these issues.
Pardon my ignorance,but can Cuban athletes come and play in the USA ??
What a foolish decision! I hope Qatar doesn't follow suit.
well, unfortunately politics always use to be bloody mixed with sports.. even though Sport supposed to unite people and mitigate the conflicts.. i guess...
I agree with flan, i also hope the WTA will withdraw future tournaments from the UAE.. if everyone started eliminating from the tournaments the citizens of the country that they don't like for one reason or another, what it would be??
I think the country shouldn’t be granted such rights like choosing the participants that they want... I think conducting a tournament as well as an Olympic games is a huge privilege, countries are fighting for this privilege... so why to give it to someone who thinks he can decide which countries to invite and which one to ban..
*********************
“You become responsible forever for what you have tamed”. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
It is always the lost that need my guidance
Will Doha do the same? Hopefully not, especially after they granted her a visa last year; http://www.qatarliving.com/news/76562/match-point
Of course, you can see why they're hardening their stance on Israeli visas, but in the long term it's going to do the UAE more damage than it will do to Israel.
Any global organization will want guarantees that sporting championships will be apolitical before deciding on future venues. By not allowing Israeli tennis players to compete in the Dubai Open, they are virtually guaranteeing they won't get the Olympics or World Championships any time soon.
Dubai wants to be a world centre for sports, but this is a kick in the teeth for those aspirations.
hopefully the WTA will withdraw future tournaments from the UAE if this doesn't get overturned.
again in sports world, this could happen?
(http://www.qatarliving.com/node/361818)
"I do live by the motto that pessimists are usually right, but all the great change in history was done by optimists" -Thomas Friedman