What is Saudi Arabia's involvement in sports and why is it generating concern?

Saudi Arabia is aggressively investing in major sports, including a 12-year partnership with the IOC to host esports competitions, along with hosting WTA finals, acquiring Newcastle United soccer club, and launching LIV Golf. The oil-rich nation is strategically using sports to improve its international image. This sports diplomacy has raised concerns from athletes and human rights groups who accuse the kingdom of 'sports washing' - using high-profile sporting events to distract from controversial human rights issues. Notably, the IOC's announcement emphasized the growth of women's sports in Saudi Arabia, highlighting that nearly half of the kingdom's 23 million gamers are female.