The third imposed war against the Islamic Republic of Iran, which began with the aggression of the Zionist regime and the United States, has now lasted more than 200 days. This conflict has not only affected Iran but also its neighboring countries, creating security and economic concerns among Arab countries, especially in the Gulf region.
Impact on Sporting Events
In the wake of this war, sporting activities in the Gulf have been affected. For example, the "Formula One" group has canceled the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix. Additionally, the "Finalissima" match between the football teams of Argentina and Spain, which was supposed to take place in Doha, has also been canceled for the same reason.
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With the ongoing hostilities and no signs of an end, the holding of several other sporting events planned for the final months of the year has become uncertain. These events include Formula One races, cycling tours, sailing competitions, football and boxing matches, as well as golf and tennis tournaments.
Economic and Financial Concerns
The Grands Prix in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, scheduled for November 29 and December 6, are among the most significant sporting events. Each of these races pays over $50 million annually in hosting fees. The cancellation of these two events will not only harm Formula One's financial resources but will also impact team revenues, as team prizes are dependent on Formula One's earnings.
Currently, Formula One is in close contact with the authorities of the regional countries to make decisions regarding the holding of these races. "Stefano Domenicali," the CEO of Formula One, previously announced that the final decision regarding the holding of these races would be made by mid-September, but this deadline has now been postponed to mid-October.
On the other hand, golf competitions have also been affected by the current conditions. The final stage of the "Race to Dubai" competition, which takes place in the second week of November, holds significant financial importance. Matt Fitzpatrick, the champion of the previous edition of this competition, has expressed his concerns about the regional situation.
A spokesperson for the DP World Tour has also stated that they intend to hold the Abu Dhabi Championship and the DP World Tour Championship as scheduled in November, but they are still monitoring the situation.
Other Affected Events
The fight on October 31 between Canelo Alvarez, the Mexican boxer, and Christian Mbilli, the French-Cameroonian boxer, may also be impacted by these conditions. This fight, which is set to take place in Riyadh, may be moved to Jeddah due to concerns about the current situation.
Saudi Arabia is financing this fight through the entertainment group "Sela" and the "Riyadh Season" project and is reluctant to move it outside the country. Although there have been discussions about moving this fight to Las Vegas, there are currently no such plans.
Finally, cycling in the Middle East is also being pursued with the holding of three races and the potential increase to four competitions in the near future. Given the current conditions, the holding of these races is also at risk.
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