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Photo: MICHAEL ERICHSEN / BILDBYRÅN
Joel Lundqvist has achieved a lot with the Indian on his breasts.
Joel Lundqvist has mixed feelings about Frölunda abandoning the Indian.
The captain and the faithful servant have previously positively addressed the symbol of the club.
– I’ve lived through my entire career, says the 38-year-old.
Club leaders, coaches and game leaders have come and gone.
Joel Lundqvist has remained, the first season in the A-team he made in the 2000/2001 season.
On Saturday, the center in jersey number 20 kicks off his 18th season at Frölunda, the twelfth in a row as captain.
– Now we will make the best of the last season with Indio, we will make sure that it will be a beautiful ending and we will say goodbye to him with dignity. I have this season left in the contract, so I don’t know if I’ll be part of something new either, says Joel Lundqvist.
Positive memories
After this season, Frölunda removes the Indian from the club’s symbol and the Indian from the club’s name.
Previously, Joel Lundqvist has spoken positively about what the Indian represents, a warrior and a fighter who has adapted to the club.
– We have many positive memories with the Indian, it has been with my entire career. It has been the idea that should give a positive image of the club. I will be nostalgic and excited when I think of India, I will always have a positive image of it because it has been a very successful time. We will never forget the Indian, he has had his role and meaning in history, says Joel Lundqvist.
“It is time to reevaluate”
Joel Lundqvist has two feelings, at the same time that he is behind the board’s decision.
The captain and the other players have not been involved or questioned in the investigation.
– It’s time to do something new and to re-evaluate the Indian, things happen in the outside world and they give you a different view of things. This was a debate that gained momentum in the United States and has continued in the media around the world, the sentiment for what the Indian symbolizes and represents is changing. You have gained a better understanding of the outside world, says Joel Lundqvist.
When Sportbladet has spoken to different groups of fans and looked around on social media, it is clear that fans have different opinions.
– I understand that there are different opinions among the fans. The Indian has meant a lot to many for a long time and their feelings about it must be respected, says Joel Lundqvist.
You want to feel proud
What would you like to see for a new identity in the club’s name and brand?
– I don’t have many opinions about that really, more than that the names of the teams and the club brands have returned to being very clean and classic. We will always be Frölunda and we will always play for Frölunda, that’s the most important thing. Frölunda will continue to be an internationally viable team in the future. We want to meet with respect, show respect, feel pride and have credibility, then the Indian no longer fits.
The Indian has long been questioned for being disrespectful to the indigenous peoples of North America.
In home games at Scandinavium, the team has also made its entrance to the court through a giant Indian.
Lose millions
According to the president of Frölunda, Mats Grauers, these are multimillion-dollar sums to make the change in the organization.
– We have carried out a comprehensive impact assessment and we feel confident in the decision. It’s probably the hardest decision we’ve ever made – it’s not just about hard finance and hard numbers – there’s a lot of emotion involved, says Mats Grauers.
What is the specific reason you are eliminating the Indian?
– It’s about two things. One of the reasons is that the open current questions public opinion in the outside world that we do not avoid, we respect knowledge and we change. Although I don’t think anyone has been offended by our Indian because we have accused him of so many positive things over the years. The most important reason is the future in which we think we are done living with the symbol and we want to go back to basics to feel credible.
What are your responses to fans who are disappointed with the decision?
– I understand that many people think it is sad, but the Indian will continue to live as a proud symbol of this time. We will also not ban the Indian in the arena or be used in any other context in relation to the club, we just will not officially use him anymore. The character, strategy and values of the club will be preserved. We will also be very transparent with fans and sponsors in the work of developing a new logo.
Created 15 years ago
Frölunda has had the Indian as its logo and the additional name Indios since 1995.
The Indian has alluded to the fact that during the successful years of the 1960s the club was called “Wild West” or “Wild West Frölunda”.
Since its formation in 1944, the club has had four different club brands, until 2004 the club was renamed Västra Frölunda.
Frölunda won the CHL last season and is the reigning 2019 Swedish champion.
On Saturday afternoon, rival HV71 awaits at the premiere of SHL.
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