ABSTRACT
This Handbook provides a succinct overview of sport in the Middle East, drawing in scholars from a wide variety of geographical and disciplinary backgrounds (history, politics, sociology, economics and regional studies), with different methodological approaches, to create the ‘go-to’ text on the subject.
After the introduction, 33 chapters from leading subject experts cover areas including history, politics, society, economy and nationhood. The authors help shed light on how certain Middle Eastern countries have become increasingly active in international sports, and the efforts made to positioning themselves as the new global ‘sports hubs’. Split into five sections, the book offers a multi-disciplinary analysis of a diverse range of sports across the geographic Middle East, including football, mixed martial arts, rugby, athletics and cycling. The authors highlight and respond to issues such as the naturalisation of athletes, female athleticism, sports media and supporter cultures.
The Routledge Handbook of Sport in the Middle East stands apart from previous research through offering first-hand accounts of sport in the area from authors who live and work in the region or have a history of regularly visiting and conducting research in the region. It will be of interest to academics and students alike, in the fields of Middle East politics, sport, sport in the Middle East, international relations, governance and sociology.
Introduction: Sports in the Middle East: Towards more inclusion and collaborative efforts? Part 1: History 1. Sport and Educational Development in the History of Oman 2. ‘I was as Lebanese as Anyone:’ The Story of David Saad, Lebanon’s last Jewish Olympian 3. Riding in the Desert: Road Cycling in Qatar 4. The 1981 FIFA Youth World Championships: A Transformative Moment in Qatar´s Sporting History 5. Football for National Purposes in Qatar: Participation at Gulf Cup 1970 and Qatar FA Recognition by FIFA 6. The Historical Development of Football in the UAE: A Journey from a Pastime to a Symbol of National Identity 7. The Making of Heritage Sport: falconry in the UAE Part 2: Politics 8. Controlling Iranian Soccer is Mastering Iranian Politics 9. Sport, Diplomacy, Conflict and Peace: the case of Israel 10. Using Sport as a National Soft Power Strategy: The Case of Mixed Martial Arts in Bahrain 11. The Syrian Men’s National Football Team as a Propaganda Tool of the Assad Government 12. Olympic Bidding and Anti-Doping Policies in Turkey Part 3: Society 13. Barriers for Sport Participation of Children with Lower-Class Background in Turkey 14. Sports Events, Society and Sustainable Development: the case of Qatar 2022 15. ‘Human capital soft power’: the case of Qatar and the 2022 World Cup 16. The Development of Women’s Sport in the Omani Context 17. Hapoel Tel Aviv vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv: A Microcosm of the Arab-Israeli Conflict and Peace Process 18. Football Fandom in Egypt 19. The Politics and Passion of Middle East Football Spectator Cultures 20. Ultras in Egypt: Massacred, Disbanded, Steadfast? Part 4: Economy 21. Saudi Arabia and Sport in the 21st century – From Oil and Gas to Event Driven Change 22. Sports Economics of Iran 23. Politics of Football Debt and Financial Fair Play in Turkey 24. Politics and Pirates: Sports Broadcasting in the Middle East 25. Hosting Mega-Events in the Gulf 26. Sporting Cities and Economic Diversification in the Arabian Peninsula 27. Investing into sport: A comparison of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates 28. Sports Business in Gulf countries: A case study of the UAE Part 5: Nation 29. Naturalized East African long-distance runners African in the Middle East 30. Homo Communautarius – the Influence of Politics on the Lebanese Sport Scene 31. Nationality Swapping in World Athletics: Cases and Contexts from the Middle East 1998–2016 32. Beyond ‘Defecting’ and ‘Swapping’ Nationality: Emigrant Women Athletes and the Iranian Gendered Bio-Politics 33. Inclusivity in an environment of exclusive citizenship: The multinational Qatari women’s rugby team
