Nationalsport

As a national sport a sport is called, which is considered by a State or a particular region as particularly important and typical. She often has a long tradition and contributes to national identity.

Some national sports are set by the government as such. Not all countries have official national sports, which is why it is often controversial, which sport can be so designated, and the names in the media differ. Regional Differences in national sports there is especially true when a state is inhabited by several ethnic groups who want to have their own identity as a nation.

In everyday language, the term is also used simply for very popular sports, football is an example in many countries. Thus the term national sport overlaps with the label national sport. A popular sport practiced by a large number of residents ( the former " common people ").

Many national sports are by no means confined to a single country. This is especially the case if by colonial powers or other occupiers a certain particularly popular in the country of origin sport was exported to other countries (such as hockey in Pakistan).

Examples

Official national sports

In the following countries, there is an official national sport. This need not necessarily be the most popular sport, but can also have a very important tradition.

• Argentina: Pato, a basketball game like riding
• Bangladesh: Kabaddi, a team of martial arts
• Chile: Chilean Rodeo, a competition at the horses
• Canada: lacrosse, summer national sport, hockey, winter national sport
• Colombia: Tejo
• Pakistan Hockey

Unofficial national sports

In the following countries, although there are no official national sport, however, are repeatedly mentioned certain sports as national sports in the media. The difference to normal popular sports is the importance that they have nationally.

• Afghanistan: Buzkashi
• India: Hockey
• Ireland: Gaelic Football and Hurling
• South Korea: StarCraft, Taekwondo
• Cuba: baseball.
• Russia: Hockey (winter national sport ), Chess
• Switzerland: Swing, hornussen
• Thailand: Muay Thai, Sepak Takraw
• USA: Baseball is usually considered most traditional national sport, although American football has a higher popularity today

Popular sports

In many countries, there are sports that indeed dominate in coverage and in operation, but do not possess the status of a National Sports.

The best example is football, holding the status of the most popular sport in more than 120 countries. These include not only the internationally successful so-called major football powers, but also other important and populous countries such as Indonesia.

Other sports that dominate the operation in several countries are cricket ( 18 countries, including India, Pakistan and Bangladesh), baseball ( eight countries, including Japan, Venezuela and Taiwan), Rugby Union ( five states, including New Zealand), basketball ( Philippines, Lithuania), ice hockey ( in six States, Russia, Czech Republic, Sweden, Slovakia, Latvia and Finland) and kickboxing (Cambodia and Laos).

In some countries dominating sports include alpine skiing ( Austria ), Football (USA), Australian Football (Nauru ), archery (Bhutan), horse racing ( Hong Kong), rings ( Mongolia), Rugby League ( Papua New Guinea) and table tennis ( people's Republic of China).

Credentials

• Sport (Culture)