After questioning 198 players from 17 nations at the Women's Champions Trophy in Mendoza, Argentina, which concluded on Sunday (December 7), the FIH claimed that 74 per cent of those questioned believe the sport to be equal for men and women.

Only 16 per cent of players labelled the sport as a predominantly a male game, while just 10 per cent claimed it was predominantly female.

"We are extremely proud that hockey's best players recognise that the sport has equal opportunities for men and women," said Kelly Fairweather, chief executive of FIH.

"This is certainly the attitude of FIH - and something that is demonstrated in the investment and commitments we make with our fantastic international events that take place every year.

"There are very few sports that can boast our record on gender equality."

The survey was conducted at the ongoing Women's Champions Trophy in Mendoza, Argentina ©FIH

 
Earlier this year, both the male and female Hockey World Cups were held in The Hague, The Netherlands, simultaneously, exemplifying the work the FIH has done to make the sport equal for both men and women.

Even in the Women's Hockey Champions Trophy, the interest of the fans was similar to that of the men's tournament, currently underway in India.

"Across the FIH Executive Board and all the FIH Committees and Advisory Boards we ensure that there is a mixture of men and women represented," said Pamela Stuper, a member of the FIH Executive Board.

"This example reinforces the idea of hockey as a sport equally for men and women, and is followed right through the sport - something I have seen clearly at all levels in my career as a player and coach.

"I am therefore delighted but not at all surprised to see that hockey's elite players have said that the sport has an excellent gender balance."

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