Spring media

The International Hockey Federation: A recent decision by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to partner with Spring Media to offer fans a betting package that includes 1,300 matches across a four-year cycle, seems to have opened a pandora's box with concerns being expressed over the involvement with people dealing with betting.

"The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is delighted to announce that it has 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 FIH informed in a statement on Friday.

The new agreement came into effect with the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers for Paris 2024 being held concurrently in Ranchi and Valencia, Spain. Though betting is legal in most European countries, the Americas and Oceania, it is illegal in countries like India, Pakistan, Malaysia and all Muslim countries.