What is the National Sport of India?

India's national sport: Sports often embody the pride and spirit of any country. Curious about which game is India's national sport? We're going to dive into the journey of field hockey in India.

Why is Hockey the National Sport of India?

Hockey is a sport with an incredible legacy in India. Although there is no official declaration, field hockey is considered India's national sport due to its historical heritage, success, and emotional attachment.

Why Was Field Hockey Considered a National Sport?

From 1928 to 1980, India won 8 Olympic Gold medals in world hockey and the world knowledge of this was synonymous with pride, faith, and nationhood. It was a game of unity. Legends like Dhyan Chand galvanised our imaginations. Hockey grew from educational institutions and was an integral part of rural life. 

Where is Hockey Played in India?

Cricket may have replaced hockey as our favourite sport, however, Punjab, Odisha, Haryana, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh are locations where hockey cultures still thrive. Odisha is the frontrunner in hockey support since it has the world's largest hockey stadium. In tribal areas of India, hockey is a mainstay, and players emerge from these areas regularly.

What Does Hockey Represent for India?

Hockey represents pride, history, and perseverance. From Olympian worlds of applause to today’s world, which is restoring hockey’s glory in India, hockey is a country's cultural mascot to schools, festivals, and national pride events.

Fun Facts About Indian Field Hockey

• Golden Run: India won six consecutive Olympic golds in hockey from 1928 to 1956.
  
  
• The Wizard: Dhyan Chand scored over 400 goals in his international career and is considered one of the greatest athletes in history.
  
  
• National Sports Day: Celebrated on August 29 every year, marking Dhyan Chand’s birth anniversary.
  
  
• Comeback Kings: At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, India’s men’s team won a bronze medal after a 41-year drought.
  
  
• Odisha’s Role: The state government sponsors both men’s and women’s national teams and built the Birsa Munda Stadium, the world’s largest hockey arena.