Across the world, countries have developed unique traditional sports that reflect their culture, history, and geography. These sports are often passed down through generations and hold cultural significance, with many continuing to be practiced today. Below are some traditional sports from different regions, along with important terms and details about each sport.
Sumo is Japan’s national sport, known for its rituals, traditions, and strong cultural ties to Shinto beliefs. It involves two wrestlers attempting to force each other out of a ring or to make any part of their opponent's body other than the soles of their feet touch the ground.
Originating in ancient India, Kabaddi is a contact team sport where players take turns to raid the opposition's half of the field while holding their breath, attempting to tag as many opponents as possible before returning to their own side.
Polo is a sport played on horseback, where players use a mallet to hit a ball and score goals. It is widely popular in Argentina, where the sport is considered a symbol of the country’s aristocratic culture.
Gaelic football combines elements of soccer, rugby, and basketball. Played mainly in Ireland, it is a fast-paced game where teams of 15 players each try to score by either kicking or punching the ball into the opposing team’s goal or between two posts.
Hurling is one of the oldest field games in the world, dating back over 3,000 years. It is similar to field hockey but played with a wooden stick called a “hurley” and a small ball known as a “sliotar.”
Sepak Takraw is a sport native to Southeast Asia, involving teams of players who use their feet, head, knees, and chest to pass a rattan ball over a net, similar to volleyball but with no hands.
Baseball is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of nine players each. It is a widely popular sport in the United States and has roots in earlier bat-and-ball games from the 17th century.
Bossaball is a unique sport combining elements of volleyball, soccer, gymnastics, and capoeira, played on an inflatable court with a trampoline in the middle.
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of eleven players. It is hugely popular in countries like India, Pakistan, Australia, and England, and is known for its long history and cultural significance.
