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Countries and their National Games
Countries and their National Games: A national game is a sport or physical activity that is considered an intrinsic part of a country’s cultural heritage and identity. It is often a sport that is played or followed by a significant portion of the population and is usually associated with that country’s history, values, and traditions.
National Games of Different Countries
National games can be seen as a way of uniting people across a nation, as they can provide a shared interest and passion that transcends social, economic, and cultural differences. It can also be a source of pride and accomplishment for a nation, as national teams and athletes compete on the world stage and represent their country on an international level.
While some national games are widely played and recognized around the world, others may be relatively unknown outside their country of origin. Examples of well-known national sports include football (soccer) in many countries, cricket in India, and baseball in Japan.
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List of Countries and their National Games
Here is an exhaustive List of Countries and their National Games.Â
S. No | Country | National Game | Description |
1 | Afghanistan | Buzkashi | A horse-mounted game where players compete to grab a goat carcass and bring it to a goal. |
2 | Antigua and Barbuda | Cricket | A bat-and-ball game where two teams of eleven players each take turns to bat and field. |
3 | Argentina | Pato | A horse-mounted game where players try to score goals by putting a ball through a vertical hoop. |
4 | Australia | Cricket | A bat-and-ball game where two teams of eleven players each take turns to bat and field. |
5 | Bangladesh | Kabaddi | Contact sport where two teams of seven players each try to tag and tackle each other while chanting “Kabaddi”. |
6 | Barbados | Cricket | The bat-and-ball game is where two teams of eleven players each take turns to bat and field. |
7 | Bermuda | Cricket | A bat-and-ball game where two teams of eleven players each take turns to bat and field. |
8 | Bhutan | Archery | A sport where archers shoot arrows at targets while dressed in traditional Bhutanese attire. |
9 | Brazil | Capoeira | A martial art that combines dance, acrobatics, and music. |
10 | Bulgaria | Weightlifting | Strength sport is where athletes lift heavy weights in two different styles: snatch and clean and jerk. |
11 | Canada | Ice hockey | Contact sport where two teams of six players each skate on ice and try to shoot a puck into the opponent’s goal. |
12 | Chile | Chilean rodeo | Rodeo sport where two riders on horseback try to stop a calf and pin it against a cushioned wall. |
13 | China | Ping Pong | Table tennis sport where two or four players hit a lightweight ball back and forth over a small net. |
14 | Cuba | Baseball | A bat-and-ball game where two teams of nine players each take turns to bat and field. |
15 | Columbia | Tejo | Target sport where players throw metal discs at a board rigged with explosives. |
16 | Czech Republic | Ice Hockey | Contact sport where two teams of six players each skate on ice and try to shoot a puck into the opponent’s goal. |
17 | Dominican Republic | Baseball | The bat-and-ball game is where two teams of nine players each take turns to bat and field. |
18 | England | Cricket | The bat-and-ball game is where two teams of eleven players each take turns to bat and field. |
19 | France | Football | Contact sport where two teams of eleven players each try to score goals by kicking a ball into the opponent’s net. |
20 | Haiti | Soccer | Contact sport where two teams of eleven players each try to score goals by kicking a ball into the opponent’s net. |
21 | Hungary | Water Polo | Water sports where two teams of seven players each try to throw a ball into the opponent’s goal while treading water. |
22 | India | Hockey (Not the official game, but a recognised sport in India) | Contact sport where two teams of eleven players each try to score goals by hitting a ball into the opponent’s net with a curved stick. |
23 | Israel | Football | Contact sport where two teams of eleven players each try to score goals by kicking a ball into the opponent’s net. |
24 | Italy | Football | Contact sport where two teams of eleven players each try to score goals by kicking a ball into the opponent’s net. |
25 | Indonesia | Badminton | Racquet sport where two or four players hit a shuttlecock back and forth over a high net. |
26 | Lithuania | Basketball | Team sport where two teams of five players each try to shoot a ball into the opponent’s basket. |
27 | Iran | Wrestling | Combat sport where two wrestlers try to throw or pin each other to the ground. |
28 | Jamaica | Cricket | The bat-and-ball game where two teams of eleven players each take turns to bat and field. |
29 | Japan | Sumo Wrestling | Combat sport is where two wrestlers try to push each other out of a circular ring or force each other to touch the ground with a body part. |
30 | Malaysia | Sepak Takraw | Team sport is where players kick a rattan ball over a high net using any part of their body except their hands and arms. |
31 | Mongolia | Mongolian wrestling, archery and horse riding | Combat sport where two wrestlers try to throw each other to the ground or force each other out of a circular ring; a sport where archers shoot arrows at a target from horseback; an equestrian sport where riders race each other on horseback. |
32 | Mauritius | Football | Contact sport where two teams of eleven players each try to score goals by kicking a ball into the opponent’s net. |
33 | Mexico | Charreria | The rodeo-style equestrian sport where participants demonstrate their skills in various events such as roping, bull riding, and steer wrestling. |
34 | Nepal | Dandi Biyo | Game where players use a small stick to hit a larger stick and send it flying into the air, then hit it again before it touches the ground. |
35 | New Zealand | Rugby | Contact sport where two teams of fifteen players each try to score points by carrying, passing, and kicking an oval-shaped ball into the opponent’s goal area. |
36 | Norway | Cross-country skiing | Winter sport where skiers race across snow-covered terrain using skis and poles. |
37 | Namibia | Rugby | Contact sport where two teams of fifteen players each try to score points by carrying, passing, and kicking an oval-shaped ball into the opponent’s goal area. |
38 | Pakistan | Field Hockey | Contact sport where two teams of eleven players each try to score goals by hitting a ball into the opponent’s net with a curved stick. |
39 | Philippines | Arnis | Martial art and sport where participants use sticks, knives, and empty hands to strike and defend against opponents. |
40 | Poland | Football | Contact sport where two teams of eleven players each try to score goals by kicking a ball into the opponent’s net. |
41 | Peru | Paleta Frontón | Racquet sport where players hit a ball against a wall using their hand or a paddle-like racket. |
42 | Puerto Rico | Paso Fino | Equestrian sport where riders show off the smooth, natural gait of the Paso Fino horse. |
43 | Russia | Bandy | Team sport where players use sticks to hit a ball into the opponent’s goal, played on ice with a ball instead of a puck. |
44 | Scotland | Golf | Sport where players use clubs to hit a ball into a series of holes on a course, using the fewest number of strokes possible. |
45 | Serbia | Football, basketball, volleyball, and water polo | Serbia’s most popular sports include football, basketball, volleyball, and water polo. Football is the most popular sport, with basketball being a close second. |
46 | Slovenia | Alpine Skiing | Alpine skiing is a popular sport in Slovenia due to the country’s mountainous terrain. |
47 | South Korea | Tae-kwon-do | Tae-kwon-do is a traditional Korean martial art that is widely practiced and enjoyed as a sport in South Korea. |
48 | Sri Lanka | Volleyball | Volleyball is a popular sport in Sri Lanka and is played both recreationally and competitively. |
49 | Switzerland | Shooting and Gymnastics | Switzerland has a strong tradition of shooting sports, and gymnastics is also a popular sport in the country. |
50 | Tajikistan | Gushtigiri- type of wrestling | Gushtigiri is a traditional form of wrestling in Tajikistan that is still practiced today. |
51 | Turkey | Oil wrestling | Oil wrestling is a traditional Turkish sport that has been practiced for centuries. |
52 | USA | Baseball | Baseball is a popular sport in the United States, with a long and storied history. |
53 | Uruguay | Destrezas Criollas | Destrezas Criollas is a traditional Uruguayan sport that involves horse riding and other rural skills. |
54 | Venezuela | Baseball | Baseball is a popular sport in Venezuela, and the country has produced many successful professional players. |
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