A country’s national sport is an integral part of its culture and identity. Some sports, like sumo wrestling in Japan, Gaelic games in Ireland (like football, handball, hurling, etc.), and field hockey in Pakistan, are considered national sports because they are revered by the masses, even though they are not officially declared national sports by the law (de facto national sports).
But what about India? Does India have a national sport? If you’ve ever wondered about this or are a curious parent looking to inspire your child’s love for learning, you’re in the right place! In this article, we’ll discuss about the national game of India and share some fun facts that will surely captivate both you and your little one. Plus, we have curated an exciting Indian sports game for kids that’s packed with knowledge and fun!
What is the National Game of India?
When asked about the national game of India, most people immediately think of hockey, and it’s easy to see why. Hockey has brought incredible success and pride to the country. India’s hockey team has won an unmatched eight Olympic gold medals and more. This remarkable legacy is thanks to legendary players like Dhyan Chand, whose unmatched skills dazzled the world, Balbir Singh Sr., who captained India to its fifth Olympic gold in 1952, and Dhanraj Pillai, renowned for his passionate on-field performance.
Given its monumental achievements, many assume hockey is India’s national sports game. However, you might be surprised to learn that hockey is not the national sport of India.
Some might then guess kabaddi, another sport where India has dominated the world stage as the national sport of India. However, you will be disappointed to know that kabaddi is also not India’s national sports game. Even cricket, India’s most popular sport today, doesn’t hold the title of the official ‘India National Game.’
In fact, India doesn’t have a national game. While hockey, kabaddi, and cricket all hold special places in the hearts of Indians, no sport has been designated as the country’s official national game.
Why Doesn’t India Have a National Sport?
There could be different reasons why India doesn’t have a national sport. Here are some reasons why India doesn’t have a designated sport:
- Diverse Interests: India is a vast country with a rich cultural diversity. Different regions have their own popular sports, making choosing one sport that represents the entire nation difficult. For instance, people residing in Kolkata are deeply in love with Football. So, they are most inclined and interested in getting all the football-related updates.
- Encouraging Variety: The Indian government aims to promote and encourage a variety of sports disciplines rather than focusing on just one. This approach helps in nurturing talent across different sports.
- Historical Misconception: Many people believed that hockey was the national sport due to India’s historical success, especially during the early to mid-20th century. However, this was never officially declared by the government.
- Popularity Shifts: The popularity of sports can change over time. For example, while hockey was extremely popular in the early 1900s, cricket has become the most popular sport in recent decades.
Fun ‘Fact or Fiction’ Game That You can Play with Your Kids
Children should be introduced to the history of hockey, kabaddi, cricket, and other Indian sports early on to help them appreciate our rich legacy. As parents, it’s essential to spark curiosity and encourage your child to learn more about sports in India in a fun and engaging way. And what’s better than turning it into a game?
We have put together a fun ‘fact or fiction’ game designed especially for kids. It’s a great way to test their knowledge about Indian sports while igniting their interest in diving deeper. So, gather your family, and let the learning begin!
- Hockey is the most successful Olympic sport in India.
- India invented the sport of kabaddi.
- Kabaddi is only played in India.
- India’s women’s kabaddi team has won more World Cups than the men’s team.
- India’s first Olympic hockey gold medal was won in 1928.
- A kabaddi match lasts only 5 minutes.
- Sachin Tendulkar was the first cricketer to score 100 international centuries.
- India won its first Cricket World Cup in 2003.
- PV Sindhu is a famous badminton player who has won Olympic medals.
- The first-ever Indian cricket captain was Sunil Gavaskar.
- Saina Nehwal was the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in badminton.
- Neeraj Chopra won India’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in javelin throw.
- The Olympic Games are held every year.
- India’s first-ever Olympic medal was won in wrestling.
- PT Usha is known as the “Flying Queen of India.”
- Milkha Singh won an Olympic gold medal.
- Indian athletes have won more Olympic medals in track and field than in shooting.
- Dipa Karmakar is a famous Indian gymnast who performed the “Produnova” vault.
- India won its first-ever Olympic medal in 1900.-H3
- Chess was invented in India.
- India has never hosted the Commonwealth Games.
- Vishwanathan Anand was India’s first chess grandmaster.
- The Indian football team once played barefoot in the Olympics.
- India has more gold medals in shooting than in boxing.
- Sunil Chhetri is the captain of the Indian women’s football team.
- Hockey matches are played on grass fields.
It is a fact. India has won 8 gold, 1 silver, and 4 bronze medals in hockey at the Olympics, making it the most successful sport in the country.
It is a fact. Kabaddi originated in ancient India and has been a traditional sport for thousands of years.
It is fiction. Kabaddi is also popular in countries like Iran, South Korea, and Bangladesh.
It is fiction. Both the men’s and women’s teams have been dominant in kabaddi, winning World Cups and numerous gold medals.
It is a fact. India dominated field hockey during this time, starting their golden era by winning gold in the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics.
It is fiction. A standard kabaddi match lasts for 40 minutes, divided into two halves.
It is a fact. Sachin Tendulkar, also known as the “God of Cricket,” was the first to achieve this incredible milestone.
It is fiction. India won its first Cricket World Cup in 1983 under the captaincy of Kapil Dev.
It is a fact. PV Sindhu is one of India’s most celebrated badminton players and has won silver and bronze Olympic medals.
It is fiction. CK Nayudu was the first captain of the Indian cricket team.
It is a fact. Saina Nehwal won the bronze medal in badminton at the 2012 London Olympics.
It is a fact. Neeraj Chopra made history by winning gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, becoming India’s first track-and-field gold medalist.
It is fiction. The Olympics are held every four years.
It is fiction. India’s first Olympic medal was in hockey at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics.
It is a fact. PT Usha is one of India’s greatest athletes, known for her speed and excellence in track and field.
It is fiction. Although Milkha Singh, popularly known as the “Flying Sikh,” came close to winning a gold medal, he never won an Olympic medal.
It is fiction. India has won more Olympic medals in shooting than in track and field.
It is a fact. Dipa Karmakar is one of the few gymnasts in the world to successfully perform the difficult “Produnova” vault.
It is a fact. India’s first Olympic medal was won by Norman Pritchard in athletics at the 1900 Paris Olympics.
It is a fact. The game of chess originated in ancient India. Back in the day, chess was known as Chaturanga.
It is fiction. India hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2010 in New Delhi.
It is a fact. Vishwanathan Anand became India’s first grandmaster in 1988 and is a five-time World Chess Champion.
It is a fact. India’s football team played barefoot in the 1948 London Olympics.
It is a fact. India’s shooters have consistently performed well at the Olympics, bringing in more gold medals than boxers.
It is fiction. Sunil Chhetri is the captain of the Indian men’s football team.
It is fiction. Modern hockey matches are played on synthetic turf for better speed and control.
Tips to Make It More Engaging:
- Add visuals like pictures of players or medals to make the game more interactive.
- Act out or mimic actions from different sports in India, for instance, pretend to dribble a hockey ball or swing a badminton racket, to pique your little one’s attention.
- Celebrate the correct answers of your little ones with claps or small treats!
The ‘fun or fact’ game not only boosts your child’s knowledge of Indian sports but also helps them develop an early appreciation for the country’s rich sporting culture. And if you’re looking for more fun and creative ways to play with your little one, check out our Best Games to Play When Bored blog for more ideas that will keep them engaged and entertained!
Also, you can visit EuroKids blog for more insightful and fun articles on your baby’s growth, health, and learning. Don’t forget to check out EuroKids Preschools for the perfect foundation to kickstart your little one’s learning journey.
