Gaming firm Svenska Spel announced that it has donated more than SEK 4.3 million to various youth sports initiatives within Sweden during 2019 as part of the company's Prispallen drive.
The program sees Svenska Spel donating SEK 10,000 to a youth sports program each time a Swedish athlete reaches a podium during an international competition. In 2019 there were 432 podium finishes by Swedes, which led to the high total. Additionally, there were 90 podiums reached in fighting sports in the country, which saw another SEK 900,000 raised.
Commenting on the donations Svenska Spel CEO Patrik Hofbauer said, "Swedish sport has a strong international standing and 432 medals, or just over one medal per day for the year, is incredibly impressive. We at Svenska Spel are, as Sweden's largest sports sponsor, very proud and happy to be able to distribute this money that will help strengthen youth sports around the country.
"It is through broad youth sport and good talent development that we lay the foundations for future international success."
More than 71 sports are eligible for the donation program, including popular sports like ice hockey, football, and floorball.