BLAST-Abu Dhabi ties may be questioned in Danish parliament

Soren SundergaardA spokesman for Denmark’s Enhedslisten party said he would raise concerns about BLAST’s links to Abu Dhabi, which he called an authoritarian state, before parliament.

BLAST, Copenhagen-based esports organizer CS:GOEsports events, recently hosted 2022 Abu Dhabi BLAST Premier World FinalsUnited Arab Emirates (UAE) as part of its three-year partnership with Abu Dhabi Gaming Corporation, a state-led initiative.

The Danish broadcaster raised the association’s concerns through the publication DR, which stated that the Danish government owns nearly 20 percent of BLAST through a public investment fund called Vækstfonden. It said the association amounted to a mix of taxpayers’ money and events that had a positive impact on Abu Dhabi.

“It’s one thing for private companies to invest in Abu Dhabi and similar authoritarian states, but Danish taxpayers are not allowed to contribute to it. I would therefore like to discuss with the minister whether a growth fund that explicitly incorporates business ethics and social responsibility into its objectives should really contribute directly or indirectly to the investment of this princely dictatorship,” Søndergaard said. , as he waits for a parliamentary committee to take effect.

Image Credit | BF Premier

Has Sportswashing entered esports yet?

Over the years, the UAE has been accused of arbitrary arrests, ill-treatment of detainees, forced deportations, restrictions on freedom of speech and expression, and punishment of homosexuals.Revelations of practices such as the kafala system observed in Middle Eastern countries such as the UAE have also recently come to light as 2022 World Cup to be held in Qatar.

Over the past decade, a number of Middle Eastern funds have ventured into global sports through investment, and it is widely believed that this was the reason for Qatar’s success in winning the hosting rights in the first place. This phenomenon of pushing soft power into the field has come to be defined as a sporting shuffle and has been at the heart of many people’s concerns.

Three-year contract between BLAST and Abu Dhabi Gaming is just the beginning for the Middle Eastern country. Saudi Arabia, the largest and most prosperous Middle Eastern country, plans to establish itself as a global hub for esports by 2030.

The Saudi Esports Federation has dubbed this goal “Vision 2030”. The federation plans to invest $38 million to realize this vision.this e-sports industry Still emerging and needs funding to expand.

BLAST’s website states that everyone in every corner of the world should be able to watch, play and love esports in a positive, safe and sustainable environment. On the one hand, diversity in any industry should be encouraged, but expansion often comes at a price. They may now be called up more broadly.

Amnesty says lack of due diligence

Amnesty International Denmark’s News Manager, Marlene Hackansonalso issued a statement condemning the UAE.

“The United Arab Emirates, like other authoritarian regimes in the region, has used major sporting events to divert attention from the serious human rights abuses taking place in the country,” she said.

Haakanson added that the Danish fund should have done due diligence before accepting the deal. She emphasized the greater responsibility of the National Financing Fund and questioned how BLAST intended to handle the agreement.

BLAST has withdrawn from collaborations in the past. Two years ago, BLAST entered into an agreement with Saudi Arabia. The agreement faced strong opposition from the esports community before BLAST withdrew.

With this precedent, neither the fund itself nor BLAST can simply let it go. The BLAST website talks about being committed to responsible behavior and actively addressing relevant, important social, environmental and governance conditions.

The site also talks about creating an equal playing field for anyone, gender, race or background in esports. As it stands, BLAST could be accused of violating these principles by entering into an agreement with Abu Dhabi Gaming.

In a written statement to the DR, the fund said it had no control over “personal investments” and had only done its part by investing in a Danish company. It did add, however, that it would conduct checks to ensure that companies in its portfolio “are in compliance with the requirements of responsible corporate conduct”, providing sufficient clarification where required.