Sports in India facts for kids

Indian field hockey team at the 1936 Olympic Games

Sports in India are a big part of the country's culture and daily life. People in India love to play and watch many different kinds of sports.

India has many traditional sports that have been played for a very long time. These include exciting games like kabaddi, kho kho, and gilli-danda. There are also sports that came from other countries, such as football, cricket, hockey, tennis, and boxing. Both players and fans enjoy these sports across the country.

A Look at Sports History in India

The history of sports in India goes back a very long time. Many traditional Indian sports are ancient, meaning they have been played for hundreds of years.

Today, some of the most popular sports in India are those that do not involve a lot of physical contact between players. For example, cricket is incredibly popular. It is often the most watched sport on television.

In certain parts of India, like the states of Bengal and Kerala, football is also very well-liked. India has even hosted big international sports events, such as the 2011 Cricket World Cup.

India at the Olympic Games

Vijender Singh posing with his medal during the Commonwealth Games.

Indian athletes have taken part in the Olympic Games many times. They have competed in 32 Olympic events held in 19 different countries around the world.

The Indian national team has won gold medals at the Summer Olympic Games. Some of their gold medal wins include:

• In 1980, the Indian team won gold in Field Hockey.
• In 2008, an Indian athlete won gold in the 10-meter air rifle competition.

India at the Commonwealth Games

India has also competed in many Commonwealth Games. These games bring together athletes from countries that were once part of the British Empire. India even had the honor of hosting the 2010 Commonwealth Games in its capital city, New Delhi.

Popular Sports in India

India is home to many popular sports. Some are traditional, while others are enjoyed worldwide.

Cricket: India's Favorite Sport

In a career of twenty-four years, Sachin Tendulkar created many batting records and is often seen as one of the most successful cricketers ever.

Cricket is by far the most popular sport in India. It is played everywhere, from big stadiums to small streets. The Indian national cricket team is one of the best in the world.

Many Indian cricketers are famous around the globe. One example is Sachin Tendulkar, who is considered one of the greatest cricketers of all time.

Field Hockey: A Golden History

Hockey is another very important sport in India. The Indian men's national field hockey team has a rich history. They have won many Olympic gold medals, especially in the past. This makes hockey a sport with a proud legacy in India.

Traditional Indian Sports

India has many unique traditional sports. These games are often played in villages and local communities.

• Kabaddi: This is a team sport where players try to tag opponents in their half of the field while holding their breath and chanting "kabaddi, kabaddi." It's a mix of wrestling and tag.
• Kho kho: This is a tag game played between two teams. Players chase and try to tag opponents while running around a central pole.
• Pehlwani: This is a traditional form of wrestling. Wrestlers train hard and compete in special mud pits.
• Gilli-danda: This is a game played with two sticks, a larger one (danda) and a smaller one (gilli). Players hit the gilli with the danda, similar to baseball or cricket.

Other Popular Sports

Tennis player Sania Mirza has won many medals, including in various Grand Slam events, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Games.

Besides cricket and hockey, many other sports are gaining popularity in India:

• Football: Football is very popular in certain regions and has a growing fan base across the country.
• Tennis: Indian tennis players like Sania Mirza and Leander Paes have achieved international success.
• Badminton: Badminton is also very popular, with Indian players winning medals in international competitions.
• Boxing: Boxers from India have won medals at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.
• Chess: India has produced world-class chess players, including Viswanathan Anand, who was a World Chess Champion.

Images for kids

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  The Eden Gardens in Kolkata, established in 1864, is the oldest cricket stadium in India, and has hosted many important international matches.

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  Lalita Babar, an Indian long-distance runner, was honoured with Arjuna Award in 2016.

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  Indian badminton's leading women's pair of Jwala Gutta (left) and Ashwini Ponnappa, 2010.

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  Sayed Rahim Nabi of East Bengal FC and Daniel of Chirag United SC during I-League at Salt Lake Stadium.

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  Jeev Milkha Singh

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  Mahesh Bhupati (left), and Leander Paes (right)

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  Military World Games in Hyderabad, India.

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  Manika Batra at 2019 Commonwealth Table Tennis championships

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  Members of India's women's national basketball team at the 2009 Asian Indoor Games in Vietnam

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  Viswanathan Anand, a former World Chess Champion playing Maxime Vachier-Lagrave in Paris.

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  Kabaddi is one of the most popular sports in India.

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  US First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy posing for a photograph during an annual Polo match in Rajasthan, known as the Sirmoor Cup in 1962.

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  Force India drivers at the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix.

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  Sepak takraw ball

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  A Traditional Cycle Polo game in CC&FC, Kolkata

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  Members of India's national Kickboxing team at the 2009 Asian Indoor Games in Vietnam

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  Women in a tug of war, at the annual Pushkar Fair, Rajasthan, India

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  Seval sandai, traditional cock fight

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  Jallikattu, taming the bull

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  Rekla, bullock cart race

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  Young boys playing Gilli-danda, a traditional Indian sport.

Related pages

• I-League
• India at the Olympics
• India national football team