Countries and their National Games

 

Countries and their National Games : A sport or game is a form of play or any competitive physical activity utilising physical ability or skills alongwith imparting recreation to the participants and entertainment to spectators. A particular sport or game is designated as the national game of a country based on historical significance or popularity of game within that country. 

The article gives insight into the National Games of various Countries. The variety of sports are being played throughout the world and differs from nation to nation. Most of the Asian countries are passionate towards Athletics, Gymnastics and Wrestling. Cricket is famous and plausible generally amongst commonwealth countries inculcating countries of South Asia, Caribbean and Australia. Footbal/Soccer is treated as the National Game of mostly  European and South American countries.

 

List of Country-Wise National Games

The list giving the detailed account of National Games of major countries is provided below in a tabular form to let you make the most of GA section. The article is useful for candidates preparing for SSC, RRB, IBPS, UPSC AND State Exams since there is a constant spurt in questions from this topic.

 

Country	National Game
Afghanistan	Buzkashi
Argentina	Pato
Australia	Cricket and AFL (Australian Football League)
Bangladesh	Kabaddi
Barbados	Cricket
Bermuda	Cricket
Bhutan	Archery
Brazil	Capoeira
Bulgaria	Weightlifting
Canada	Lacrosse (In Summer), Ice Hockey (In Winter)
Chile	Chilean Rodeo
China	Ping Pong (Table Tennis)
Cuba	Baseball
Czech Republic	Ice Hockey
Denmark	Football, Handball
Dominion Republic	Baseball
England	Cricket
Estonia	Football
Finland	Pesapallo
France	Football
Guyana	Cricker, Water Polo
Haiti	Football
Hungary	Water Polo
Iceland	Handball
Indonesia	Badminton
Iran	Wrestling
Israel	Football
Italy	Football
Jamaica	Cricket
Japan	Sumo Wrestling
Lithuania	Basketball
Malaysia	Sepak Takraw
Mauritius	Football
Mongolia	Mongolian Wrestling, Archery and Horse Riding
Nepal	Volleyball
New Zealand	Rugby Union
Norway	Cross-country Skiing
Pakistan	Field Hockey
Papua New Guinea	Rugby League
Phillipines	Arnis
Poland	Football
Romania	Oina
Russia	Bandy
Scotland	Golf
Serbia	Basketball, Volleyball, Football and Water Polo
Slovenia	Alpine Skiing
South Korea	Taekwondo
Spain	Bull Fighting
Sri Lanka	Volleyball
Switzerland	Shooting and Gymnastics
Tajikistan	Gushtigiri
The Bahamas	Cricket
Turkey	Oil Wrestling
USA	Baseball
Venezuela	Baseball

 

 

KEY POINT – Is Hockey a National Game of India ?

No, it is not so. Hockey had been considered as the National Game of the country and the reason behind this is the golden era of sport during period of 1928-1956 where the India won 6 consecutive  Gold Medals in the Olympic Games. Recently, the ministry of Sports Affairs revealed and clarified that it has not declared any game to be the National Game of the country.

 

Note: Most of the countries have not declared any sport as National Game but a game is informally considered as the national game on the basis of poupularity.