The road along which the Saudi Pro League is speeding is a familiar one; over the past half century the United States, Japan and China have been down this way before. But this time it feels different.
Where the North American Soccer League failed to encourage the majority Stateside to embrace the game in the 1970s, the J.League’s experiment with highly-paid foreigners sowing the seeds for future development continues to pay off handsomely.
It is to China and the country’s boom and subsequent bust that the kingdom’s money-drenched experiment is most often compared as it mirrors the efforts to entice high-profile players, many near the peak of their powers, and for gargantuan sums.
There are plenty of parallels and lessons to be heeded if Saudi Arabia is to avoid a similar fate. Importantly, though, there are reasons to believe the differences between the countries are significant enough that the pitfalls may never arise.
While the ambitions are similar – to establish themselves as global football powers and enhance reputations through success on the field – the two nations start from differing positions.
Saudi Arabia has launched its move while already a member of Asia’s elite, having qualified for six World Cups and winning the Asian Cup on three occasions. The country also has an enviable record in Asian club competitions.
China has a fitful history of success that runs contrary to expectations that a country with such a large population should produce national teams capable of mixing with the game’s best.
But China has a troubled relationship with football. Corruption and poor performances by the national team long ago turned the fan base against the sport, with impatience undermining attempts to climb the Fifa rankings.
Wider government policy, too, has hindered forward momentum, with the long-term damage done by the One Child Policy creating an ageing nation and a populace reluctant to allow their children to commit to much beyond education.
Saudi Arabia does not have those issues, where an already passionate and fertile environment should only encourage greater success.
The story of China’s rise and fall is cautionary nonetheless.
Its genesis lay in the months leading up to Xi Jinping’s ascent to power in 2011 and a declaration made by the president-in-waiting that he wanted China to qualify for the World Cup, host the tournament and, eventually, produce a team capable of winning the title.
That proclamation set private enterprise off on a race to deliver Xi’s dream in the hope there would be positive political repercussions for those who played key roles in making that wish come true.
Before long most aspects of Chinese big business were engaging with the game, none more so than the property sector. With access to considerable finance – the vast majority debt-fuelled – developers were quickly involved in a battle to out-spend one another.
After an accelerated build-up, Chinese football’s peak was to last approximately two years.
The summit was reached with Guangzhou Evergrande’s second Asian Champions League title in three years in 2015 under Marcello Lippi and the country remained on top until Shanghai Shenhua agreed in late 2016 to spend £635,000 a week to bring in Carlos Tevez.
From that lofty position Chinese football has fallen into virtual destitution in less than a decade.
China’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic has been blamed, but in truth a slow-motion collapse had already started, with regulatory battles between club owners and the authorities doing significant damage.
As the 2023 Chinese Super League campaign kicked off in April, Lippi and the other high profile coaches, as well as most of the players who had joined during the boom years, were gone.
Guangzhou, the dominant force during the cash-rich era, were relegated a year after owners Evergrande withdrew their funding due to growing concerns surrounding the company’s spiralling debt.
So could something similar happen in Saudi Arabia once the spending frenzy subsides?
Much will depend on how long the political will remains to fund the current spree. Like in China, the Saudi Pro League is unlikely to generate the funds – through broadcast deals and sponsorship – needed by clubs to continue spending at current levels. But with the government, and especially Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, leading the charge, the chances of Saudi Arabia following China along a similar downward path are slim.
The Bio
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
Results
6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah Group Two (PA) US$55,000 (Dirt) 1,600m; Winner: Rasi, Harry Bentley (jockey), Sulaiman Al Ghunaimi (trainer).
7.05pm: Meydan Trophy (TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,900m; Winner: Ya Hayati, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Bochart, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
8.15pm: Balanchine Group Two (TB) $250,000 (T) 1,800m; Winner: Magic Lily, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,000m; Winner: Waady, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson.
9.25pm: Firebreak Stakes Group Three (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Capezzano, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer.
10pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,410m; Winner: Eynhallow, Mickael Barzalona, Charlie Appleby.
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
The biog
Favourite food: Tabbouleh, greek salad and sushi
Favourite TV show: That 70s Show
Favourite animal: Ferrets, they are smart, sensitive, playful and loving
Favourite holiday destination: Seychelles, my resolution for 2020 is to visit as many spiritual retreats and animal shelters across the world as I can
Name of first pet: Eddy, a Persian cat that showed up at our home
Favourite dog breed: I love them all - if I had to pick Yorkshire terrier for small dogs and St Bernard's for big
Diriyah%20project%20at%20a%20glance
%3Cp%3E-%20Diriyah%E2%80%99s%201.9km%20King%20Salman%20Boulevard%2C%20a%20Parisian%20Champs-Elysees-inspired%20avenue%2C%20is%20scheduled%20for%20completion%20in%202028%0D%3Cbr%3E-%20The%20Royal%20Diriyah%20Opera%20House%20is%20expected%20to%20be%20completed%20in%20four%20years%0D%3Cbr%3E-%20Diriyah%E2%80%99s%20first%20of%2042%20hotels%2C%20the%20Bab%20Samhan%20hotel%2C%20will%20open%20in%20the%20first%20quarter%20of%202024%0D%3Cbr%3E-%20On%20completion%20in%202030%2C%20the%20Diriyah%20project%20is%20forecast%20to%20accommodate%20more%20than%20100%2C000%20people%0D%3Cbr%3E-%20The%20%2463.2%20billion%20Diriyah%20project%20will%20contribute%20%247.2%20billion%20to%20the%20kingdom%E2%80%99s%20GDP%0D%3Cbr%3E-%20It%20will%20create%20more%20than%20178%2C000%20jobs%20and%20aims%20to%20attract%20more%20than%2050%20million%20visits%20a%20year%0D%3Cbr%3E-%20About%202%2C000%20people%20work%20for%20the%20Diriyah%20Company%2C%20with%20more%20than%2086%20per%20cent%20being%20Saudi%20citizens%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company profile
Date started: Founded in May 2017 and operational since April 2018
Founders: co-founder and chief executive, Doaa Aref; Dr Rasha Rady, co-founder and chief operating officer.
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: Health-tech
Size: 22 employees
Funding: Seed funding
Investors: Flat6labs, 500 Falcons, three angel investors
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
THE SPECS
2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE
Engine: 1.8 litre combined with 16-volt electric motors
Transmission: Automatic with manual shifting mode
Power: 121hp
Torque: 142Nm
Price: Dh95,900
LOVE%20AGAIN
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Bullet%20Train
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BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
MIDWAY
Produced: Lionsgate Films, Shanghai Ryui Entertainment, Street Light Entertainment
Directed: Roland Emmerich
Cast: Ed Skrein, Woody Harrelson, Dennis Quaid, Aaron Eckhart, Luke Evans, Nick Jonas, Mandy Moore, Darren Criss
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Ticket prices
General admission Dh295 (under-three free)
Buy a four-person Family & Friends ticket and pay for only three tickets, so the fourth family member is free
Buy tickets at: wbworldabudhabi.com/en/tickets
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
