– It is much tougher on the women’s side of golf. It is an investment that costs a lot and does not always pay off, answers Tor-Anders Hanssen, who is secretary general of the Norwegian Golf Association. – How does the association approach this league? – Generally speaking, we of course condemn all violations of human rights. It is challenging that money in sport comes from a regime that has different attitudes and values than what is usual in Norway and the Nordic countries. But I think Hovland said it quite well: The players who join the Saudi Arabian “LIV” series are not necessarily “bad guys” and all others “good guys”. Praise Saudi Arabia It was back in April that it was known that Marianne Skarpnord would become part of the Saudi Arabian golf league as an ambassador together with eight other golfers. The golf tournament has been organized since 2018, and the website “golfdigestme” writes that the players will promote golf in Saudi Arabia, in addition to promoting Saudi Arabia globally as a golfing nation. news has tried to establish contact with Skarpnord about this matter several times in recent weeks. The Norwegian golfer replied this week that she will focus on playing golf, and will therefore not comment on the matter. WILL NOT COMMENT: Golf profile Marianne Skarpnord. Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB She has nevertheless commented on her commitment to Saudi Arabia in the past, and she spoke about the country in positive terms. – Women’s golf is changing now, and I think we can see the tour become even bigger in the coming years, especially with support from “Golf Saudi” and “Aramco” (Saudi Arabian energy company). We are far behind in Europe, but I think people in Europe are starting to see that we can play the game, Skarpnord told the website “Women & Golf” in February. She was then asked by the same website if she enjoyed playing in Saudi Arabia. – I love playing in Saudi Arabia. It is a nice golf course, and the weather is always good. I was skeptical the first time. I only knew what I had read in the newspapers, and I was not very positive. I am very happy that I went there, because it is nowhere near what I thought, says Skarpnord. The association knew nothing According to Amnesty, Saudi Arabia is a country with little freedom of expression, and they write that it is literally life-threatening to criticize the authorities. The murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul is often cited as an example in this context. Hanssen in the golf association does not want to criticize Skarpnord openly, because she does not play golf through the Norwegian association these days. – But if one of our Team Norway athletes with whom we have an agreement had said something similar, this is something we had to investigate more closely. And that would most likely be a discussion all the way up at board level, says the general secretary. NO CRITICISM: Tor-Anders Hanssen in the golf association will not interfere in the priorities of Marianne Skarpnord. Photo: Press image – Has the association been in dialogue with her about this Saudi collaboration? – No, not as far as I know. We don’t have that. I have not personally seen any type of agreement or do not know if she is intended for an ambassadorial role. It was something that they in news conveyed. I have not seen the contents of the agreement. – They have had contact. Has there been any contact about the Saudi collaboration? – No. We have tried to convey that news wishes to get in touch with her, but we have not discussed the Saudi collaboration with her. – Linked to money A year and a half ago, Skarpnord defended participating in golf tournaments in Saudi Arabia. – My starting point as an athlete is that I go and do my job where he is. And when they set up a tournament with one million euros in prize money, which is four times as much as in normal “LET” tournaments, it is clear that I travel and do my job there, she told Norsk Golf at the time. On the men’s side, Viktor Hovland has also faced a similar dilemma. A number of male golfers have left the PGA Tour to participate in the Saudi-funded “LIV” series. Hovland has said that he is not interested in participating in the tournament at the present time. – It (the “LIV” series) is connected to money, quite simply. That’s how honest we have to be. There is still so much money in circulation there, which is probably tempting for players who have a declining career. Now I’m not saying that’s the case for Marianne, but I’m talking about the men’s side here, says Hanssen.
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Marianne Skarpnord is an ambassador for Saudi Arabia – own confederation knew nothing – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
