This article gives insight about different Countries and their National Sports. There are different types of sports being played throughout the world. Most of the European and South American countries are known for their passion towards Football/Soccer. Cricket is popular in mainly commonwealth group including countries of South Asia and Caribbean and Australia. Gymnastics, Wrestling and Athletics is considered as the National Game of mostly Asian countries. Following is the list which gives detail information about National Sports of different countries. The list also explain other popular sports being played in various countries apart from their National game.
Countries and their National Sports : Afghanistan
Buzkashi is the National Game of Afghanistan. In this game, the horse mounted players drag the dead body of goat towards goal. Besides Afghanistan game is also popular in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
Some other popular sports of Afghanistan are – Cricket, Football, Boxing and Basketball.
Countries and their National Sports : Australia
- National Sport of Australia – Cricket
- Other Popular sports of Australia – football, Rugby, Horse Racing, Netball
Countries and their National Sports : Bangladesh
Kabaddi is the most popular sport and also National sport of Bangladesh. Some other popular sports being played with much interest are Cricket and Football.
Countries and their National Sports : Canada
- National Sport of Canada – Ice Hockey(winter) and Lacrosse (summer) . Ice Hockey is played with flat ball.
- Other Popular Games – Football, Golf, Basketball, Baseball
Countries and their National Sports : India
- National Sport of India – Although Hockey is considered as de-facto National Game of India but as per recent Sports Ministry revelation Hockey is not the National Game of India. Till now there is no declared National Game of India.
- Other Popular Games of India – Cricket, Kabaddi, Badminton, Chess.
Countries and their National Sports: Japan
- National Sport of Japan – Sumo wrestling
- Other Popular Games & Sports of Japan – Baseball, football, Ju-Jitsu (Martial Arts)
Countries and their National Games : Nepal
Till 23 May 2017 Dandi Biyo was the National Game of Nepal. It is similar to Gilli Danda of India. After that Volleyball was officially declared as the National game of Nepal.
Some other popular sports of Nepal : Football, Athletics and Boxing.
Countries and their National Game : New Zealand
- National Sport of New Zealand – Rugby Union
- Other popular games of New Zealand – Cricket, Netball, Basketball, Golf, Tennis
Countries and their National Sports : Pakistan
Like Arch rivals India, Filed Hockey is also the National Game of Pakistan. Some other popular sports which are being played with interest in Pakistan are Cricket, Kabaddi, Squash and Billiards/Snooker.
Russia
There is a popular question being asked about “What is the National Sport of Russia?” There is a misconception that Chess is the National game of Russia but it is Bandy which is actually the National Game of Russia.
- National Sport of Russia – Bandy
- Other popular sports of Russia – Chess, Football, Basketball, Gymnastics, Figure Sketting.
- Bandy is similar to Ice Hockey. Difference between Bandy and Ice Hockey is that Bandy is played with round ball while Ice Hockey is played with flat ball.
Spain
- National Sport of Spain – Bull fight
- Other popular sports of Spain – Basketball, Tennis, Formula One, Golf etc
Countries and their National Sports : Turkey
Oil Wrestling is the National Sport of Turkey. It is also called as Grease Wrestling. These wrestlers wear leather trousers and apply olive oil throughout their body. These wrestlers are also called as Pahilwan.
Some other popular sports in Turkey – Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball.
Countries and their National Sports : USA
- National Sport of USA – Baseball
- Other Popular games of USA – Football, Ice Hockey, Golf, Tennis
Asia Oceania Countries and their National Sports
| Countries | National Sport | Other Popular Sports |
|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Buzkashi | Football, Cricket |
| Australia | Cricket | AFL (Australian Football League), Basketball |
| Bangladesh | Kabaddi | Cricket, Football, Hockey |
| Bhutan | Archery | Basketball, Football, Futsal |
| China | Not Declared | Ping Pong (Table Tennis), Volleyball, Badminton, Shooting, Martial Arts |
| India | Field Hockey | Cricket, Badminton, Kabaddi |
| Iran | Wrestling | Football |
| Israel | Association Football | Basketball, swimming, Canoeing |
| Japan | Sumo | Baseball, Association Football |
| Mauritus | Football | Atheletics, Badminton, Basketball |
| Mongolia | Archery | Wrestling, Football, Basketball |
| Nepal | Dandi Biyo | Cricket, Football |
| Pakistan | Field Hockey | Cricket, Kabaddi, Polo, Squash |
| Papua New Guinea | Rugby League | AFL, Soccer, Volleyball |
| Philippines | Arnis | Basketball, Badminton, Boxing |
| Russia | Bandy | Basketball, Ice Hockey, Football, Rugby |
| South Korea | Taekwondo | Football, Basketball |
| Sri Lanka | Volley Ball | Cricket, Badminton, Water Sports |
| Turkey | Oil Wrestling | Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball |
National Games of different European Countries
| Countries | National Sport | Other Popular Sports |
|---|---|---|
| Denmark | Football, Handball | Cycling, Sailing, Badminton |
| England | Cricket | Football, Rugby, Basketball |
| Estonia | Basketball | Bandy, Beach Volleyball |
| Finland | Pesäpallo (Finnish Baseball) | Ice Hockey, Formula One |
| France | Not Declared | Association Football, Rugby, Motor Sports, Tennis, |
| Georgia | Rugby Union | Football, Basketball |
| Iceland | Handball | Football, Basketball, Athletics |
| Ireland | Gaelic Football | Soccer, Hurling, Golf |
| Latvia | Baseball | Association Football, Ice Hockey |
| Lithuania | Basketball | Football, Atheletics, Cycling |
| Norway | Cross Country Skiing | Wrestling, Cycling, Shooting |
| Romania | Oină | Football, Handball, Volleyball |
| Scotland | Golf | Tennis, Rugby |
| Slovenia | Alpine Skiing, Ski Jumping | Atheletics, Basketball, Boxing |
| Spain | Bull Fighting | Football, Basketball, Tennis |
| Switzerland | Shooting, Gymnastics | Football, Ice Hockey |
| Wales | Rugby Union | Football, Atheletics, Basketball |
National Games of different Countries of Americas
| Countries | National Sport | Other Popular Sports |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina | Pato | Association Football, Basketbal, Rugby Union |
| Bahamas | Sloop Sailing | Cricket, Football, Rugby |
| Brazil | Football | Volleyball, Basketball |
| Canada | Lacrosse (summer), Ice Hockey (winter) | Football, Basketball, Baseball |
| Chile | Chilean Rodeo | Football, Tennis |
| Colombia | Tejo | Football, Cycling, Roller Skating |
| Mexico | Charrería | Association Football, Boxing |
| Puerto Rico | Paso Fino | Football, Baseball |
| Antigua and Barbuda | Cricket | Football |
| Barbados | Cricket | Football, Golf, Tennis |
| Cuba | Baseball | Boxing, Volleyball, Basketball |
| Dominican Republic | Baseball | Football, Boxing |
| Grenada | Cricket | Football |
| Guyana | Cricket, Water Polo | Beach Cricket, Football |
| Jamaica | Cricket | Atheletics, Association Football |
| United States | Baseball | American Football, Basketball |
| Venezuela | Baseball | Football |