The FIH has struck a seven-year deal with Polytan ©Polytan

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has signed a deal which will see Polytan provide turf for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups and the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

The company has been named as an official global supplier, with the announcement confirming the extension of a partnership which also covered the playing surfaces for London 2012 and August's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

One of the key features of the deal, according to the FIH, will be the creation of an FIH Hockey World Cup turf that will "add value to Polytan’s product range and build brand equity for FIH".

The FIH will also actively support Polytan’s business in key growth markets such as India and China and traditional hockey markets in Europe. 

Both parties have signed a seven-year deal with the option of a two-year extension.

"Polytan’s commitment to hockey and growing the game, along with their professional approach and renowned quality, ensured this was the perfect match for both organisations," said FIH President Leandro Negre.

Polytan also provided the playing surface at London 2012
Polytan also provided the playing surface at London 2012 ©Getty Images

"We look forward to working with them to build hockey over the coming years through their commitment to and engagement in our 10-year Hockey Revolution strategy, aimed at making hockey a global game that inspires the next generation.”

Kelly Fairweather, the FIH's chief executive, added: "We are delighted to confirm this partnership with Polytan, an organisation that has built a solid foundation of trust having delivered a number of world class hockey turfs over the years, including at both the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic venues.

"Being named as our global supplier is recognition of both their continued investment in our sport and their innovative approach to developing top quality surfaces to play hockey on.”

The news follows the launch of the FIH's Quality Programme for Hockey Turf, which was aimed at ensuring good quality fields for all levels of play.

Frank Dittrich, the chief executive of SportGroup, the owners of Polytan, said: "This relationship is incredibly important for the future of hockey, a sport which we firmly believe in.

"That’s why we have done everything in our power to develop class-leading products to enable us to become a strong partner that FIH can trust.”