🌎 Could Underwater Hockey Become an Olympic Sport?

Have you ever heard of underwater hockey? It is a lesser-known sport, but one that is growing in popularity. While it has been around since the 1950s, it was not until recently that the game started to gain traction.

Indeed, the sport has been able to gain a following from countries in Europe as well as Asia over a number of years and following its involvement at the Southeast Asia mini-Olympics in 2019 when the sport made its debut, there has been a steady growth in the number of bets being made on the sport as punters have started to head to their app stores and download Betway in order to place those bets in an accessible way.

However, with its steady growth in popularity, could this unique sport become an Olympic event one day? Indeed, it could be argued that there is every chance that this could be something that happens in the near future. Let’s take a look at why this might be the case. 

 

What Is Underwater Hockey?

Underwater hockey is a team sport, played in teams of six players each with snorkeling equipment and fins. The object of the game is to score goals using a weighted puck that moves along the bottom of the pool. Players must use their hands and feet to move the puck around, and they are not allowed to come up for air during play. Each match consists of two halves, each lasting 15 minutes or more depending on the tournament rules.

 

The Benefits of Underwater Hockey

One of the biggest advantages of playing underwater hockey is that it can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. Unlike other sports where physical strength often gives one side an advantage over another, underwater hockey is purely based on skill and technique. Additionally, because it is not as physically demanding as some other sports, it can be enjoyed by those who may not have access to traditional sports equipment or facilities due to financial or geographical constraints.

 

Olympic Potential

Given its growing popularity and accessibility with more participants, as well as a growing betting market with operators such as Betway taking note, many have wondered if underwater hockey could become an Olympic event one day. While there are currently no plans for this, it could be possible in the future if enough people get behind the idea and support its inclusion in international tournaments like the Summer Olympics or Paralympics Games. In order for this to happen, though, more people would need to get involved in organized play; more competitions would need to be held; and more awareness would need to be raised about this fascinating sport.

 

Final Thoughts

Underwater hockey is still relatively unknown compared to other aquatic sports like swimming or water polo, but it is gaining ground quickly thanks to its accessibility and low learning curve. With more people getting involved in organized play, who knows, this unique sport could even make its way into international events like the Olympics someday! Perhaps it is worth keeping an eye out?

Last Updated on January 10, 2023