- Breyten Breytenbach, writer who challenged apartheid, dies at 85
- Tuipulotu try helps Scotland end Australia's bid for Grand Slam
- Truce called after 82 killed in Pakistan sectarian clashes
- Salah wants Liverpool to pile on misery for Man City after sinking Saints
- Berrettini takes Italy to brink of Davis Cup defence
- Lille condemn Sampaoli to defeat on Rennes debut
- Basel backs splashing the bucks to host Eurovision
- Leicester sack manager Steve Cooper
- IPL auction records tumble as Pant, Iyer break $3 mn mark
- Salah sends Liverpool eight points clear after Southampton scare
- Key Trump pick calls for end to escalation in Ukraine
- Tuipulotu try helps Scotland end Australia's bid for a Grand Slam
- Davis Cup organisers hit back at critics of Nadal retirement ceremony
- Noel in a 'league of his own' as he wins Gurgl slalom
- A dip or deeper decline? Guardiola seeks response to Man City slump
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- EU urges immediate halt to Israel-Hezbollah war
- Far right targets breakthrough in Romania presidential vote
- Basel votes to stump up bucks to host Eurovision
- Ukraine shows fragments of new Russian missile after 'Oreshnik' strike
- IPL auction records tumble as Pant and Iyer snapped up
- Six face trial in Paris for blackmailing Paul Pogba
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- Former Masters champion Reed seals dominant Hong Kong Open win
- Norris applauds 'deserved' champion Verstappen
- Jaiswal and Kohli slam centuries as Australia stare at defeat
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- Max Verstappen: Young, gifted and single-minded four-time F1 champion
- 'Star is born': From homeless to Test hero for India's Jaiswal
- Verstappen wins fourth consecutive Formula One world title
- Survivors, sniffing dogs join anti-mine march at Cambodia's Angkor Wat
- Far right eye breakthrough in Romania presidential vote
- Jaiswal slams majestic 161 but Australia fight back in Perth
- Edinburgh's alternative tour guides show 'more real' side of city
- IPL teams set to splash the cash at 'mega-auction' in Saudi Arabia
- Olympics in India a 'dream' facing many hurdles
- Wounded Bangladesh protesters receive robotic helping hand
- Majestic Jaiswal 141 not out as India pile pain on Australia
- Giannis, Lillard lead Bucks over Hornets as Spurs beat Warriors
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- Marta inspires Orlando Pride to NWSL title
- Palestinian pottery sees revival in war-ravaged Gaza
- Main points of the $300 billion climate deal
- Robertson wants policy change for overseas-based All Blacks
'Nothing wrong' with Saudi Asian Tour investment: Casey
English golfer Paul Casey on Wednesday defended Saudi Arabia's $200 million cash injection to revive the Asian Tour, following criticism of the deal over the oil-rich kingdom's human rights record.
Speaking ahead of this week's SMBC Singapore Open, where he finished tied-second in 2019, Casey welcomed the funding from LIV Golf Investments, which is majority-owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.
"Look, investment is investment. Every tour needs investment, that's plain and simple," said Casey, currently world number 27.
"The revenues are amazing on the PGA Tour, and I'm part of the PGA Tour. I'm proud of that, but I'm also excited about the investments in the other tours around the world. So that is a good thing," he added.
Casey said fellow players were upbeat about the cash infusion.
"It's a big deal. The fact that they got more events and more money to play for. Nothing wrong with that," said Casey, who has also committed to playing the Saudi International that starts in two weeks.
South Korea's Kim Joo-hyung, who leads the Asian Tour Order of Merit, said he was looking forward to playing in Saudi Arabia.
"It's going to be a very good experience for many of the players, including myself. I have never been to Saudi Arabia," the 19-year-old said.
The SMBC Singapore Open is the season-ending event on the 2020-21 Asian Tour schedule.
The Saudi International will kick off the 2022 programme when it gets underway at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club on February 3.
Saudi Arabia is increasingly playing host to major sporting events including a Formula One Grand Prix, but critics say the country is seeking to "sportswash" its human rights record.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has overseen a reform drive since he was appointed by his father King Salman in 2017, but authorities continue to crack down on dissidents and potential opponents, ranging from preachers to women's rights activists, according to rights groups.
The country faced international condemnation following the murder of Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi in the kingdom's Istanbul consulate in October 2018.
H.Seidel--BTB