Countries and their National Sports and Games
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Countries Name and National Sports/ Games: Sports are an essential part of the human race, to make sports day to day part of our life the United Nations has declared an International Day of Sport for Development and Peace on 6 April. India celebrates its National Sports Day every year on 29 August. The National Sports Day was first celebrated on 29 August 2012 on the birth anniversary of Major Dhyanchand. Most countries have their own National Game.
Countries and their National Sports/ Games
Despite hitting a milestone in the Asian, Olympics, and Commonwealth games, National Sport. We used to consider Field Hockey as our National game due to consecutive winning in the Olympics but recently Ministry of Sports and Affairs has declared that India doesn’t have any national games.
Some sports are established by a law called de jure and some sports that are not established by law are called de facto. The below-given list of de facto and de jure sports are classified in separate tables for a better understanding of aspirants who are preparing for competitive exams.
Commonwealth Games 2022 Medal Tally
Countries and National Sports (De Jure National Sports)
De Jure national sports are those games that are established by law. A list of the National Sports that are established by law is given below in table-
| Country | National Sports/ Games |
| Argentina | Pato |
| Bahamas | Cricket |
| Bangladesh | Kabaddi |
| Bhutan | Archery |
| Brazil | Capoeira |
| Canada | Lacrosse (summer) Ice hockey (winter) |
| Chile | Rodeo |
| Colombia | Tejo |
| China | Table Tennis |
| Iran | Varzesh-e Bastani, Wrestling, Polo |
| Mexico | Charrería |
| Namibia | Football, Netball, Rugby |
| Nepal | Volleyball |
| Philippines | Arnis |
Countries and National Sports (De facto National Sports)
De facto national sports are those games that are not established by law. List of these National Sports is given is below in table-
| Country | National Games/ Sports |
| Afghanistan | Buzkashi |
| Anguilla | Boat racing |
| Antigua and Barbuda | Cricket |
| Austria | Alpine skiing |
| Australia | Cricket |
| Bermuda | Cricket |
| Basque Country | Basque pelota |
| Barbados | Cricket |
| Cuba | Baseball |
| Denmark | Darts |
| Dominican Republic | Baseball |
| England | Cricket, Association football, Rugby football, tennis |
| Estonia | Basketball (summer), Ice hockey (winter) |
| Finland | Pesäpallo |
| Georgia | Rugby union |
| Grenada | Cricket |
| Guyana | Cricket |
| Haiti | Association football |
| India | Field Hockey (Undeclared) |
| Indonesia | Pencak Silat |
| Israel | Association football |
| Ireland | Gaelic games |
| Italy | Palio, Pallone, Tamburello, Bocce |
| Jamaica | Cricket |
| Japan | Sumo |
| Latvia | Ice hockey |
| Lithuania | Basketball |
| Madagascar | Rugby union |
| Malaysia | Sepak takraw |
| Mauritius | Association football |
| Mongolia | Archery, Mongolian wrestling, Horse racing |
| New Zealand | Rugby union |
| Norway | Cross-country skiing |
| Pakistan | Field hockey |
| Papua New Guinea | Rugby league |
| Peru | Paleta Frontón |
| Philippines | Sipa |
| Romania | Oina |
| Russia | Bandy |
| Scotland | Golf |
| Serbia | Basketball |
| Slovenia | Alpine skiing |
| South Africa | Rugby union |
| Spain | Football |
| Sri Lanka | Volleyball |
| Tajikistan | Gushtigiri |
| Taiwan | Baseball |
| Turkey | Oil wrestling & Cirit |
| Turks and Caicos Islands | Cricket |
| United States | Baseball |
| Venezuela | Baseball |
| Wales | Rugby union |
The list mentioned above contains all the important National Sports of their respective countries. Refer to this list if you are preparing for any competitive exam whether it is Bank, SSC, Railway. The question from the national game of India and other countries can be asked in the General knowledge or General Awareness section of Competitive exams. The National sports of countries are easy to remember and one can easily fetch some extra marks by these types of questions. Check the frequently asked questions below to know the names of some important countries' National sports.