The International Hockey Federation (FIH) on Sunday defended its decision to partner with Sweden-based Spring Media, a service provider for betting platforms, stating that it is a vehicle to generate funds for the development of the game.
The FIH had on Friday announced that it had engaged in a “partnership with Spring Media to offer fans a betting package that includes all FIH events, representing more than 1,300 matches across a four-year cycle”.
The term started with the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers that are being staged in India, Spain, and Oman from Saturday, 13 January on. And it continues almost immediately with the inaugural FIH Hockey5s World Cup being played in Oman from 24 to 31 January.
While questions have been raised about the move (in India in particular where betting is banned), the FIH justified its decision arguing that legal betting “is the way forward” in the world of sport.
A top FIH official, speaking on the sidelines of the Women’s Olympic Qualifier being staged in Ranchi, told PTI: “We have signed with a legal betting entity, so there is no question at all of integrity. It’s completely legal and controlled.
“And of course, when it comes to integrity and of the hockey members in general, not only linked to betting but every type of behaviour, the FIH has an integrity code in place and has an integrity unit since couple of years.
“Of course, it is a move to bring in some funds. We like all sports pretty much need resources to be able to fulfil our mission, which is to develop the sport and make way for some financial resources. It’s a partnership and it’s an additional way to get resources which is very usual in the world of sport.”
India have been the FIH’s top market in the last decade or so in terms of sponsorships and monetary benefits, and the world body official stressed that the country will continue to hold its significance despite the sport spreading its wings to other parts of the world.
“India is very important for us. In India the history of the game is unique. You are a huge market in terms of population, visibility etc, etc. Clearly for us India is like a partner for us,” the official further told the newswire.
“It’s very clear that we will continue to come regularly to India, we will definitely organise other events in India.
