National Game of India, Is Hockey the National sport of India?

Do you consider hockey to be India's national sport? Check here to know Is Hockey a National Sport of India or not and also get details about National Game of India.

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National Sport of India

Any nation’s national game is highly symbolic. Every country has a national sport that is held in high regard and pride both within and around the world. It is frequently stated that cricket was invented in India. It has long been debated whether India is better at hockey or Kabaddi. However, the Indian national game does not exist, i.e., India does not have an official national sport.

Field hockey was considered the National Sport of India until the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports confirmed that no sport or game had been designated as national. Hockey is an Olympic sport in which India has excelled, winning eight gold medals and producing stars such as Dhyan Chand, Balbir Singh Sr., and Dhanraj Pillai. It is not, however, India’s national sport. From 1928 to 1956, Indian hockey players won six consecutive gold medals at the Olympics.

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What is the national sport of India?

As was said above, hockey is informally regarded as India’s national sport due to all of the team’s accomplishments. In addition to hockey, the Indian Kabaddi team has been dominating the sport internationally and has taken home seven gold medals from World Cup competitions and the Asian Games. As a result, it is frequently mistaken for India’s national sport.

Some people consider cricket to be India’s National Game. Once more, it is untrue. India may have won numerous medals, trophies, and other honours in each sport mentioned above, but it still lacks an official game.

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India National Game

Hockey is regarded as the national sport of India because it is one of the oldest sports. The Indian Hockey Federation approved it in 1925. The Indians’ first international hockey tour was against New Zealand, and they won 18 of the 21 games.

The government of India wants to promote all sports. In 2020, a teacher from the Dhule district of Maharashtra submitted an RTI to the government asking whether hockey was recognised as India’s official national sport. The Ministry of Youth Affairs responds that the government aims to foster and promote all popular sports disciplines. Hence, no sport is officially recognised as India’s national sport.

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National Sports Day of India

On August 29th, India observes National Sports Day to commemorate the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand. The day also honours the nation’s sports heroes and champions, recognising their contributions and dedication to bringing honour to the country.

Father of Indian Hockey

The three-time Olympic gold medalist and legendary hockey player Dhyan Chand is regarded as the founding father of Indian hockey, and his birthday ie 29 August is observed as National Sports Day in India. Hockey has come to be regarded as India’s unofficial national sport as a result of his and other players’ successes in it.

Indian Hockey Team’s Achievements in Olympics

Indians like Dhyan Chand, Dhanraj Pillai, and Balbir Singh Sr. are among the world’s top hockey players. Let’s examine a few of the Indian hockey team’s accomplishments:

Venue/Olympics Name	Year	Achievements
Amsterdam Olympics	1928	Gold Medal
Los Angeles Olympics	1932	Gold Medal
Berlin Olympics	1936	Gold Medal
London Olympics	1948	Gold Medal
Helsinki Olympics	1952	Gold Medal
Melbourne Olympics	1956	Gold Medal
Rome Olympics	1960	Silver Medal
Tokyo Olympics	1964	Gold Medal
Mexico City Olympics	1968	Bronze Medal
Munich Olympics	1972	Bronze Medal
Montreal Olympics	1976	7th Position
Moscow Olympics	1980	Gold Medal
Los Angeles Olympics	1984	5th Position
Seoul Olympics	1988	5th Position
Barcelona Olympics	1992	6th Position
Atlanta Olympics	1996	8th Position
Sydney Olympics	2000	7th Position
Athens Olympics	2004	7th Position
Beijing Olympics	2008	Did Not Qualify
London Olympics	2012	12th Position
Rio Olympics	2016	8th position
Tokyo Olympics	2021	Bronze Medal

The British introduced hockey to India. It surpassed many popular sports to become the country’s national sport. The Bengal Hockey Association was India’s first hockey association.
Hockey India, which is part of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, is the governing body in charge of planning and implementing all men’s and women’s hockey activities in India. It is based in New Delhi and is a member of the Indian Olympic Association.

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National Sports of India UPSC

The topic of national sport India is relevant for the UPSC Exam as it reflects the country’s cultural heritage, sporting achievements, and the government’s initiatives to promote sports. India does not have an officially designated national sport. This is in contrast to many other countries that have formally recognized a particular sport as their national representation. Despite the absence of an official declaration, hockey is widely considered to be India’s national game. This recognition stems from the sport’s historical significance and the country’s exceptional performance in hockey.

The Indian government has implemented various initiatives to promote sports, including hockey. These initiatives aim to Develop infrastructure, Support athletes, Promote sports at the grassroots level and many more.

National Sports of India FAQs

Which is the national game of our India?

The Indian government has not designated any official sport as India's national sport. Because of its widespread popularity, hockey is widely regarded as India's national sport. However, India does not have an official national game, and hockey and Kabaddi are frequently mistaken for India's national sports.

Is there a national sport in India?

There is no official game for India, Though Hockey is believed to be the national game but its not.

Why is hockey the national game of India?

Hockey was very popular from 1928 to 1956. During this period, India won six consecutive gold medals at the Olympic Games, which was considered a golden era. As a result, hockey was considered India's national sport. Hockey is regarded as India's national sport because it is one of the oldest sports although it is not the national game of India . In fact, Indian government has not designated any sport as the national game of India as it is keen to promote all sports equally.

Is cricket vs hockey national game of India?

Outside of India, cricket is always considered the national sport of indicatives of India are taught from an early age that hockey is the national sport. Hockey has not been designated as India's official sport. It is India's historically strong and dedicated sport. In fact, India has no official or national game.

Who is the father of hockey?

Sutherland's relentless efforts in managing and developing the game earned him the title of "Father of Hockey" in the 20th century. The Kingston, Ontario native was born in 1870, three years after Canada became a country.

What is the national sport of India?

India does not have an officially designated national sport. However, hockey is widely considered to be India's national sport due to its historical significance and the country's outstanding performance in the sport.