See comments from Jana Wannius and the Swedish Equestrian Association in the player above.
The news came on Monday – the new equestrian competition’s new name is Al Shira’aa Falsterbo Horse Show. Behind Al Shira’aa Stables stands HH Sheika Fatima Bint Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is part of the royal family in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.
Since the change of name became official, the criticism has been hail. The critics believe that the sponsorship agreement is a case of sportswashing to hide the Emirates lack of human rights.
The competition chairman Jana Wannius says in an interview with SVT Sport that the sponsorship agreement is to “secure the future”.
– If we are to get good riders here, we must have good prize money so that we can also compete with other competitions, says Wannius.
The union’s answer: “Has challenges”
He also asks why such a discussion flares up in Sweden.
– I wonder where to draw the limit? The competition will be just as usual. There are very many views no matter what you do in equestrian sports. When you sign similar agreements in, for example, Hamburg or England, there will be no reactions at all.
Johan Fyrberg, Secretary General of the Swedish Equestrian Association says it is up to the Falsterbo Horse Show who they sign an agreement with, but points out that it is important to follow the development forward.
– I understand that a collaboration with a party that has challenges with human rights raises questions. We must follow that carefully.