Countries and their National Games : Games were introduced to encourage people to participate, unite them as a nation, improve physical fitness, and provide entertainment. They have successfully fulfilled these goals and have been celebrated across nations for years. Some games are more popular in certain parts of the world and based on their popularity and historical significance, some countries have officially designated them as their national sport. Check Countries and their National Games provided in the page below.
Countries around the world have special sports or games called national games. These games are important because they show the culture and traditions of that country. Some national games are officially chosen by the government, while others are popular among the people. For example, India is known for field hockey and cricket, while Japan has sumo wrestling as a national sport. National games help people feel proud of their country and keep old sports alive.
Some sports become national games simply because people widely play and love them, like Gaelic games in Ireland or baseball in the USA. Others are officially declared by law, such as taekwondo in South Korea. To help with general knowledge, a complete list of countries and their national sports is made, showing both kinds those chosen by tradition and those by law, with the year they were established.
List of Countries and their National Games | |
Name of Countries | National Games |
Afghanistan | Buzkashi ( DeFacto ) |
Antigua and Barbuda | Cricket ( DeFacto ) |
Argentina | Pato ( DeJure – 1953) |
Australia | Cricket ( DeFacto ) |
Bangladesh | Kabaddi ( DeJure – 1972) |
Barbados | Cricket ( DeFacto ) |
Bermuda | Cricket ( DeFacto ) |
Bhutan | Archery ( DeJure – 1971) |
Brazil | Capoeira ( DeJure – 1972) |
Bulgaria | Weightlifting ( DeFacto ) |
Canada | Ice hockey (Winter) & Lacrosse (Summer) ( DeJure – 1994) |
Chile | Chilean rodeo ( DeJure – 1962) |
China | Ping Pong (Table Tennis) ( DeFacto ) |
Cuba | Baseball ( DeFacto ) |
Columbia | Tejo ( DeJure – 2000) |
Czech Republic | Ice Hockey ( DeFacto ) |
Dominican Republic | Baseball ( DeFacto ) |
England | Cricket ( DeFacto ) |
France | Football ( Defacto ) |
Haiti | Soccer ( DeFacto ) |
Hungary | Water Polo ( DeFacto ) |
India | Field Hockey ( DeFacto ) (Otherwise Undeclared) |
Israel | Football ( DeFacto ) |
Italy | Football ( DeFacto ) |
Indonesia | Badminton ( DeFacto ) |
Lithuania | Basketball ( DeFacto ) |
Iran | Wrestling ( DeFacto ) |
Jamaica | Cricket ( DeFacto ) |
Japan | Sumo Wrestling ( DeFacto ) |
Malaysia | Sepak Takraw ( DeFacto ) |
Mongolia | Archery, Mongolian wrestling and horse riding (De Facto) |
Mauritius | Football ( DeFacto ) |
Mexico | Charreria ( DeJure – 1933) |
Nepal | Dandi Biyo (Till 2017), Volleyball ( DeJure – 2017) |
New Zealand | Rugby ( DeFacto ) |
Norway | Cross-country skiing ( DeFacto ) |
Namibia | Rugby ( DeJure – 2018) |
Pakistan | Field Hockey ( DeFacto ) |
Philippines | Arnis ( DeJure – 2009) |
Poland | Football ( DeFacto ) |
Peru | Paleta Frontón ( DeFacto ) |
Puerto Rico (united States) | Paso Fino ( DeJure – 1966) |
Russia | Bandy ( DeFacto ) |
Scotland | Golf ( DeFacto ) |
Serbia | Volleyball, Football, basketball and water polo ( DeFacto ) |
Slovenia | Alpine Skiing ( DeFacto ) |
South Korea | Tae-kwon-do ( DeJure – 2018) |
SriLanka | Volleyball ( DeFacto ) |
Switzerland | Shooting and Gymnastics ( DeFacto ) |
Tajikistan | Gushtigiri- type of wrestling ( DeFacto ) |
Turkey | Oil wrestling ( DeFacto ) |
USA | Baseball ( DeFacto ) |
Uruguay | Destrezas Criollas ( DeJure – 2006) |
Venezuela | Baseball ( DeFacto ) |