Profile
Settings
Refer your friends
Sign out
The National Game (also known as sports) is the favoured type of question found in various government examinations such as Railways and SSC. Different countries have distinct sports based on the sport’s popularity or historical connections to the nation.
The country’s National Games hold great value due to their cultural importance. Below, we have included a List of Countries and their National Games, which will be useful from an exam perspective.
List of Countries & their National Games
Here’s a list of countries & their national games/ sports.
| Country | National Games / Sports |
| Anguilla | Yacht Racing (DeFacto) |
| Afghanistan | Buzkashi (DeFacto) |
| Argentina | Pato (DeJure) |
| Antigua and Barbuda | Cricket (DeFacto) |
| Australia | Cricket (DeFacto) |
| Barbados | Cricket (DeFacto) |
| Bhutan | Archery (DeJure) |
| Bangladesh | Kabaddi |
| Bulgaria | Weightlifting (DeFacto) |
| Bermuda | Cricket (DeFacto) |
| Brazil | Association Football (DeJure) |
| Czech Republic | Ice Hockey (DeFacto) |
| Colombia | Tejo (DeJure) |
| Chile | Chilean Rodeo (DeJure) |
| Canada | Lacrosse (summer), Ice Hockey (winter) (DeJure) |
| Cuba | Baseball (DeFacto) |
| China | Ping-Pong (Table Tennis)(DeFacto) |
| Dominican Republic | Baseball (DeFacto) |
| Denmark | Association Football, Handball |
| Estonia | Basketball |
| England | Cricket (DeFacto) |
| France | Football (DeFacto) |
| Finland | Pesäpallo (Finnish Baseball) |
| Grenada | Cricket |
| Georgia | Rugby Union |
| Guyana | Cricket, Water Polo |
| Hungary | Water Polo (DeFacto) |
| Haiti | Association Football (DeFacto) |
| India | Field Hockey (DeFacto) |
| Indonesia | Pencak Silat (DeFacto) |
| Iceland | Handball |
| Ireland | Gaelic Football |
| Israel | Association Football (DeFacto) |
| Iran | Wrestling (DeFacto) |
| Japan | Sumo (DeFacto) |
| Jamaica | Cricket (DeFacto) |
| Lithuania | Basketball |
| Mauritius | Association Football (DeFacto) |
| Mongolia | Mongolian Wrestling, Archery |
| Madagascar | Rugby Union |
| Mexico | Charrería (DeJure) |
| Malaysia | Sepak Takraw (DeFacto) |
| New Zealand | Rugby Union (DeFacto) |
| Nepal | Volleyball (DeJure) |
| Norway | Cross-Country Skiing (winter) (DeFacto) |
| Papua New Guinea | Rugby League |
| Puerto Rico | Paso Fino (DeJure) |
| Pakistan | Field Hockey (DeFacto) |
| Philippines | Arnis (DeJure) |
| Peru | Paleta Frontón (DeFacto) |
| Russia | Bandy (DeFacto) |
| Romania | Oina |
| Slovenia | Alpine Skiing (DeFacto) |
| Scotland | Golf (DeFacto) |
| Sri Lanka | Volleyball (DeFacto) |
| South Korea | Taekwondo (DeJure) |
| The Bahamas | Cricket |
| Tajikistan | Gushtigiri (DeFacto) |
| Turks And Caicos Islands | Cricket |
| Turkey | Oil Wrestling (DeFacto) |
| Uruguay | Destrezas Criollas (DeJure) |
| United States of America | Baseball (DeFacto) |
| Venezuela | Baseball |
| Wales | Rugby Union |
The Purpose of Having National Sports
Sport is an effective means of encouraging peace, understanding and tolerance. Additionally, it assists in bringing people closer and appreciating cultures and even religions. Its principles of teamwork, discipline, fairness and respect are embraced worldwide. It can be used to boost social solidarity and cohesion.
Having interest in national sports help you to develop your overall personality. It helps you to improve your discipline, determination, teamwork and passion for fitness in the psyche of a nation.
National Game of India
Despite the increasing popularity of cricket and hockey, there isn’t an official national game in India. While some experts believe hockey is India’s most popular national sport, there isn’t an official confirmation of this.
The most popular time for hockey for the Indian Hockey team was between 1928 and 1956 when they won all seven Olympic gold medals in a row. The team’s success was due to the demise of the legendary player Dhyan Chand, the introduction of Astroturf (still an uncommon sport in India) and numerous playing hockey Anglo Indians emigrated to Australia.
Why Hockey?
Hockey was selected as an official National Game because of the team’s exceptional distinction and unmatched ability at the time. India had played 24 Olympic Games and won all of them in the period, scoring a tally of 178 goals while conceding just seven goals.
The only other accomplishments of the team in the following years are the gold medals won at 1964’s Tokyo Olympics and the 1980 Moscow Olympics. The black magical Indian touch and ball juggling phobias are nearly extinct.
Maybe we require higher-quality coaches, greater funds and facilities, and more practice on Astroturf, an easier surface than grass, where our hockey team needs training.
Teaching gifted kids hockey at the school level is a great idea, providing the necessary funds, education and facilities to protect their Indian glory.
Facts About the National Sport of India
- The impressive accomplishments of the Indian hockey team at the Olympics were why officials from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports declared it the National sport of India.
- The Indian team was awarded 3 bronze, one silver and eight gold medals between 1928 and 1956.
- The sport of hockey was brought to India by the British. It was a sport that surpassed many other popular sports and became the sport of national significance. First Hockey Association in India was the Bengal Hockey Association.
- Indian hockey is currently under the leadership of Youth Affairs, and Sports is the governing body responsible for planning and implementing the entire program related to the sport of hockey for women and men in India. Its headquarters are in New Delhi, and affiliated with the Indian Olympic Association.
- Some of India’s most famous hockey players included Dhyanchand, Norris, Pinninger and Yusuf Gateley.
- Dhyan Chand’s birthday Dhyan Chand will be celebrated on National Sports Day on August 29. Initially, National Sports Day was celebrated on August 29, 2012. In 2012, the Government of India renamed the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award to the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.
