Lausanne: The International Hockey Federation
wants to boost its income before the 2016 Olympics by cashing
in on the sport`s popularity in India.
Field hockey`s ruling executive meets this week to study
a six-year plan that aims to raise the game`s profile by using
its biggest fan base.
"Many sports want to go to India because it`s a fantastic
market," Christophe Troendle, the FIH`s director-general,
said. "For us it`s maybe easier because we are part of the
culture."
The FIH hopes that targeting sponsors and staging more
top events in the nation of 1.1 billion people could help
triple its annual budget of 5 million Swiss francs (USD 5
million; euro3.3 million).
New revenue from India would also reduce the governing
body`s dependence on the International Olympic Committee,
which provides 40
per cent of its income.
"It`s a very simple goal but very challenging," Troendle
told The Associated Press in a recent interview. "We
recognized that we need more money and need to be more
commercial.
"It`s a necessity, not a luxury."
Under the proposed strategy, field hockey hotspots such
as India and Netherlands would stage men`s and women`s World
Cup and Champions Trophy more often. World Cups are held every
four years and the Champions Trophy annually.
PTI
First Published: Monday, November 30, 2009, 21:11
