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Events like recent Saudi-backed LIV golf tournament at Trump’s club could soon be banned in N.J.

Events like recent Saudi-backed LIV golf tournament at Trump’s club could soon be banned in N.J.

Just a few weeks after former President Donald Trump hosted the controversial LIV Golf tour at his Bedminster club, a pair of state lawmakers have introduced a proposal that would ban such an event from ever happening again in New Jersey.

The bill from state Sens. Andrew Zwicker and Richard Codey, both Democrats, would prohibit sports organizations that operate primarily with money from sovereign wealth funds from hosting sporting events in the Garden State.

That would include LIV, the professional golf tour that aims to rival the PGA but has faced blowback because it’s backed by the Public Investment Fund, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund.

In announcing their bill Tuesday, Zwicker and Codey pointed out that U.S. intelligence reports have said Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman approved the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which the prince denies. They also noted the country has been accused of human rights abuses.

“New Jersey has long been fertile ground for producing top-quality athletes, and for hosting major sporting events known throughout the world,” Zwicker, D-Middlesex, said.

“Yet we do not need further recognition or notoriety from hosting competitions that are bankrolled by repressive governments or unsavory actors like Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This legislation will prohibit the Saudi PIF or any other sovereign wealth fund from using New Jersey or its sporting organizations in any shameful ‘sports-washing’ endeavors.”

In addition, families of Sept. 11 victims protested the LIV at Trump’s club last month, calling it “death golf,” after FBI documents last year said Saudi hijackers received support from Saudi nationals leading into the 2001 terrorist attack. The Saudi government has denied any involvement in the attacks.

“No one would have believed that after that terrible day that we would be allowing foreign governments to hold events in New Jersey in an attempt to clean up their image after centuries of human rights abuses and connections to terrorists,” Codey, D-Essex, said.

The founder of the group 9/11 Justice told Politico that a Trump representative called him to say Sept. 11 “is really near and dear to Trump” and he will “remember everyone” who sent a letter relaying their anger about the event.

At the event, Trump said “nobody has gotten to the bottom of 9/11 unfortunately, and they should have.” He also called the terrorists who carried out the attack “maniacs that did that horrible thing to our city, to our country, to the world.”

The Republican and his senior adviser and son-in-law, New Jersey native Jared Kushner, had close relationships with the Saudi crown prince when Trump was president. After Trump left office, the Saudi investment fund gave $2 billion to Kushner’s private equity firm.

Meanwhile, Trump has said the LIV Tour has created “gold rush” for players. The tour has offered top golfers tens or hundreds of millions of dollars to play. The deal Phil Mickelson signed is rumored to be worth $200 million over less than give years.

Mickelson has defended playing in the tour, saying “I don’t condone human rights violations at all” but he has also “seen the good that the game of golf has done throughout history and I believe LIV Golf is going to do a lot of good for the game as well.”

Under New Jersey’s proposed bill, the state attorney general would have the authority to ensure municipalities, countries, organizations, governments, property owners, and licenses holders comply with the ban.

The measure would need to be passed by both the state Senate and Assembly — both of which are controlled by Democrats — and signed by Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy to become law.

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Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him at @johnsb01.

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Business is Jammin’ Annual Golf Tournament – GlobalNews Events

Business is Jammin’ Annual Golf Tournament - GlobalNews Events

For the first time since 2019, Business is Jammin’ (BIJ) is pleased to invite you to our Annual Charity Golf Tournament!

The tournament will take place on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. Check-in will take place from 8-8:30 a.m.

Players of all levels are invited to register as individuals or in teams of four. Your ticket includes a light breakfast, and dinner at the beautiful Granite Springs Golf Club.

Your participation in this exciting event helps keep BIJ programming free for youth ages 8-30.

Sponsorship opportunities are available, including in-kind donations. For more information, please email bijyouth@bbi.ns.ca.

See you on the green!

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Esports community returns to in-person events with Manitoba tournament series | CBC News

Esports community returns to in-person events with Manitoba tournament series | CBC News

Manitoba Esports Association hosted its first in-person event since the beginning of the pandemic: a series of tournaments at the Radisson Hotel in Winnipeg.

Esports turn online gaming into a spectator sport as professional video game players form teams and compete in different games. 

“There’s a huge community behind it. And and it it’s growing every single time that we have an event,” said Melanie Penner, executive director of operations for Manitoba Esports Association.

Penner estimates about 200 people came to play or watch the tournaments — more than she expected.

Gaming online is very different from gaming in-person, Penner said. The crowds are intense, and that’s why people love it so much, she said.

“I’ve been to a lot of sporting events and there’s nothing that that compares to esports. It’s something that you have to witness,” said Penner. 

Executive director of operations Melanie Penner said there were more people than expected at the series of tournaments. (Walther Bernal/CBC)

Gamer Daniel Patacsil hopes to become a professional video game player one day.

Patacsil, who’s from Winnipeg, said esports are a social event he takes part in with his friends. His team, Stim Esports, competed in tournaments on Saturday.

He said the experience of being in-person is much different from the experience online. People are more supportive of each other, regardless if they win or lose.

“When you play online against a team and they’re trash talking, it gets a little toxic. It kind of seems like they’re trying to hurt you,” Patacsil said.

“It’s much nicer to see everyone’s reactions [in-person]. Like after we make a crazy play, everyone’s just standing up [to] cheer on each other.”

Daniel Patacsil’s team, Stim Esports, competed in the tournaments on Sunday. (Walther Bernal/CBC)

Penner said the community in Manitoba aims to be inclusive to everyone. 

Manitoba Esports Association partners with different organizations, such as Lotus 8 Esports, who advocate for inclusion within the video game community. 

“We’re a very diverse group. We are always trying to cater to every new fan base that is up and coming,” Penner said, “Hopefully this shines a light and we are able to change the narrative [for] some people who may have not been able to shift their opinion on esports.”

The convention runs until Sunday night.

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Iron Mountain Gus Macker announces additional events for summer tournament

Iron Mountain Gus Macker announces additional events for summer tournament

MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) – Organizers made announcements about new program items for a basketball tournament in Iron Mountain this summer.

Organizers said for the first time, the “Friday Night Challenge” will take place at the Iron Mountain Gus Macker tournament this year.

The challenge includes a three-on-three game between Leed’s Real Estate and another agency and games between fire and police departments. All proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Imagination Factory Children’s Museum.

“We really wanted to get community members involved in the ‘Friday Night Challenge,’” said Kim Harder Webb, Gus Macker & Imagination Factory Children’s Museum executive board member. “We did reach out to police and fire departments [in our area to play]. We thought it would be great for the community to gather and cheer them on for a change.”

The tournament is July 15-17. There are still available slots for teams. If you want to sign-up for a team, you can visit here.

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