Saudi International golf in Riyadh postponed, no new date
The Asian Tour postponed the season-ending Saudi International, due in Riyadh on 18-21 November, with no new date. Coverage differs on the reason: a joint statement cited "logistical challenges", while CNA links it to Houthi attacks on Riyadh.
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The story, neutrally told
Mixed · 2The Asian Tour has postponed the Saudi International, the final event of its golf season, which was scheduled for 18-21 November at Riyadh Golf Club. Arab NewsRC “The tournament was originally scheduled to take place from November 18-21 in Riyadh and no alternative date has been announced.” Read at Arab News ↗ CNAN “The $5 million flagship event, which is sponsored by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), was scheduled to take place at Riyadh Golf Club from November 18 to 21.” Read at CNA ↗ Mixed · 2AFP, carried by Arab News, dated the postponement Thursday 15 October, while CNA dated it Friday 16 October and described it as indefinite; no new date has been announced. Arab NewsRC “The Saudi International, the final event of the Asian Tour golf season, was postponed on Thursday.” Read at Arab News ↗ CNAN “The Asian Tour postponed its season-ending Saudi International indefinitely on Friday” Read at CNA ↗ Right · 1A joint statement from Golf Saudi and the Asian Tour attributed the postponement to "logistical challenges", and said the Asian Tour remains in direct contact with its players and members about the schedule and next steps. Arab NewsRC ““The Asian Tour remains in direct contact with its players and members regarding the schedule and next steps,” read a joint statement from Saudi Golf and the Asian Tour, saying the competition was postponed due to “logistical challenges.”” Read at Arab News ↗
Centre · 1An Asian Tour statement quoted by CNA said the decision followed an assessment of the organisational and logistical challenges of hosting the event to a standard befitting its international stature. CNAN “"The decision to postpone was taken following an assessment of the organisational and logistical challenges associated with hosting the tournament and ensuring the event is delivered to a standard befitting its international stature," an Asian Tour statement said.” Read at CNA ↗ Centre · 1CNA places the decision in the aftermath of a deadly attack on Riyadh's international airport. It reports that Yemen's Houthi movement has been firing ballistic missiles and drones at Saudi airports, ports and oil installations, including an attack on the capital last weekend that killed at least 12 people and wounded more than 300. CNAN “Yemen's Houthi movement has been firing ballistic missiles and drones at Saudi airports, ports and oil installations, including last weekend's attack on the capital that killed at least 12 people and wounded more than 300.” Read at CNA ↗ Centre · 1Asian Tour Commissioner Cho Minn Thant called the PIF Saudi International one of the most important events on the tour's calendar and said the tour looks forward to seeing its players compete in Riyadh in the future. CNAN “"The PIF Saudi International is one of the most important events on the Asian Tour calendar and we look forward to seeing our players compete in Riyadh in the future," Asian Tour Commissioner Cho Minn Thant said.” Read at CNA ↗
Right · 1The tournament, backed by Saudi Arabia's Private Investment Fund, was part of the European Tour from 2019 to 2021. It follows the postponement on Wednesday of the Six Kings Slam tennis exhibition, moved from next week to December. Arab NewsRC “The tournament, which was part of the European Tour from 2019-21, is backed by Saudi Arabia’s Private Investment Fund.”“The postponement follows that of the Six Kings Slam tennis exhibition, which was pushed back from next week until December on Wednesday.” Read at Arab News ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Links the postponement to security: the Houthi missile and drone campaign and a deadly attack on Riyadh's airport.
- Emphasis
- Casualty figures, the Houthi attacks and the tour's statements, including the commissioner's wish to return to Riyadh.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention the Six Kings Slam tennis postponement or the event's European Tour history.
- Charged language
- “deadly attack”
- For example
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“in the aftermath of a deadly attack on the international airport in Riyadh” — CNA
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- Short AFP wire report presenting the postponement as a scheduling matter due to "logistical challenges", set alongside another postponed Saudi event.
- Emphasis
- The joint statement, PIF backing and the Six Kings Slam tennis delay.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention the Houthi attacks, the Riyadh airport strike or casualties reported by CNA.
- For example
-
“saying the competition was postponed due to “logistical challenges.”” — Arab News
What every side reports
- The Asian Tour's Saudi International, due 18-21 November in Riyadh, has been postponed.
- No new date has been announced.
- The event is backed by Saudi Arabia's Private Investment Fund.
- Official statements cite logistical or organisational challenges.
Where accounts differ
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Why the event was postponed
- Centre
- CNA links the postponement to the Houthi attacks on Saudi targets, including a deadly strike on Riyadh's airport, while quoting a statement that cites organisational and logistical challenges.
- Right
- Arab News, running AFP copy, gives only the joint statement's "logistical challenges" and does not mention the attacks.
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Date of the announcement
- Centre
- CNA says Friday 16 October.
- Right
- AFP via Arab News says Thursday 15 October.
Asian Tour organisation
Says the decision followed an assessment of organisational and logistical challenges, stays in contact with players, and hopes to return to Riyadh.
“we look forward to seeing our players compete in Riyadh in the future” — CNA
“The Asian Tour remains in direct contact with its players and members regarding the schedule and next steps” — Arab News
Middle East1 outlet
Arab News carries AFP copy citing 'logistical challenges' and the Six Kings Slam postponement, without mentioning the attacks.
“The postponement follows that of the Six Kings Slam tennis exhibition” — Arab News
Arab News
East and Southeast Asia1 outlet
CNA frames the postponement as a consequence of the Houthi attacks on Riyadh.
“Asian Tour postpone Saudi International after Riyadh attacks” — CNA
CNA
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre1 article
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CNAN ·
Asian Tour postpone Saudi International after Riyadh attacks
Neutral Ties the indefinite postponement to the Houthi attacks and the deadly Riyadh airport strike, alongside the tour's statements.
Right1 article
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Arab NewsRC · · via AFP
Asian Tour golf finale in Saudi Arabia postponed
Neutral Brief AFP wire item giving the official 'logistical challenges' reason and context of another postponed Saudi event.
- 15 Oct 19:43 First Arab NewsRC Asian Tour golf finale in Saudi Arabia postponed via AFP
- 16 Oct 06:46 +11h 3m CNAN Asian Tour postpone Saudi International after Riyadh attacks
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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