Routledge Handbook of Sport in the Middle East

In Handbook of Sport in the Middle East, Reiche and Brannagan provide scholars with an indispensable edited collection that examines a multiplicity of sports and case studies in relation to culture, politics, society, economics, and international relations in the Middle East. Academics interested in studying the use of soft power through sport, sport policies in both authoritarian and democratic contexts, the comparative method, or the shifting nature of identities, societies, and economics in the region will find this volume useful. Handbook of Sport in the Middle East will undoubtedly stimulate future research in a variety of disciplines in the Middle East and beyond."

Tamir Bar-On, Professor-Researcher, School of Social Sciences and Government, Tec de Monterrey, Mexico

"The editors of the Handbook of Sport in the Middle East are to be congratulated on the breadth of coverage of sport in the Middle East and on the depth of analysis provided by the contributors. This is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the social, economic and political significance of sport in the Middle East and the significance of the Middle East for global sport."

Barry Houlihan, Emeritus Professor of Sport Policy, Loughborough University, UK

"The Handbook of Sport in the Middle East sheds light on a variety of sports and countries. It complements existing academic literature whilst also illuminating various new and crucial topics. It does a brilliant job of highlighting narratives from beyond the mainstream and employing several different theoretical concepts."

Birgit Krawietz, Professor of Islamic Studies at Freie Universität Berlin, Germany

"This volume juxtaposes a series of timely and innovative studies that significantly contribute to contemporary debates in Middle East studies, as well as in sport studies. With scholarly rigor and unprecedented breadth, it covers case studies in almost every Middle Eastern country from Egypt to Iran, bringing together major regional concerns regarding economy, politics, citizenship, and identity."

Tamir Sorek, Liberal Arts Professor of Middle East History, Pennsylvania State University, USA

"The handbook offers an interesting collection of essays on the relationship between sports and politics in the Middle East while focusing on a frequently understudied aspect of its culture and civilization. With an emphasis on historical developments, sociocultural contexts, and the political ramifications associated with sporting events in the Middle East, the handbook offers a nuanced understanding of the relevance of sports . . . those eager to understand the complexities of sports in the Middle East will find the handbook an invaluable resource. It provides an engaging and scholarly reading thanks to its comprehensive coverage, range of viewpoints, and in-depth historical context. Hence, it is a vital resource for scholars, researchers, and students interested in this dynamic and developing field, providing a wealth of information on the varied world of sports in the Middle East."

Bincy Baburaj Kaluvilla, Assistant Professor at The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, Dubai, UAE, in Contemporary Review of the Middle East