Pages

Saturday, July 01, 2006

Saudi refuses to play Israeli in computer game "world cup"

More tolerance from our friends the Saudis.
Hakeem Refuses to Play Against Israeli
Saleh Fareed, Arab News


I cannot play against a guy from a country that occupies the holy land of Palestine,” said Badr Hakeem. (AN photo)

JEDDAH, 2 July 2006 — Twenty-one-year-old Saudi, Badr Hakeem, winner of last year’s Electronic Sports World Cup (ESWC), has stepped down from participating in this year’s championship in protest against the Zionist state of Israel after he was drawn to play an Israeli gamer.

“Unfortunately, the draw put me against an Israeli player and due to our stand against the Israeli aggression and occupation of Palestine, I raised my voice and said there was no way I was going to play against this guy,” said Hakeem speaking to Arab News after making his decision at the end of the first round of the tournament.

The organizing committee accepted Hakeem’s decision.


One would think that they would dismiss the entire team for something like this, but - it's only "the Zionist state of Israel" he refuses to play.