List of Countries and their National Games, Download PDF

What is a National Game?

As the name suggests, the National Game is a sports competition that is organized within a country to celebrate the country’s heritage and culture. Every country has its own set of national games that represent its unique traditions and values. India is a country that has a rich history of sports and has a variety of games. Some of the popular games of India are Hockey, Kabaddi, Wrestling, Kho-Kho, and Badminton. These games are deeply rooted in Indian culture and have been played for centuries.

In this article, we will explore the list of countries and their national games.

Countries and Their National Games

A nation’s national sport is seen as being an integral component of its culture. Some sports are de jure (established by law) national sports, such as taekwondo in South Korea, while others are de facto (not established by law) national sports, such as sumo in Japan, Gaelic games in Ireland, and hockey in Pakistan. Knowledge of the national games of different countries is an important aspect of general knowledge. It helps candidates to broaden their knowledge base and be aware of the sports popular in different parts of the world.

Hence, it is important for you to be acquainted with the national sports of different countries to stay 2 steps ahead of others in the competition. Also, if you are lucky, you might come across 2-3 questions on counties and their national games in the upcoming SSC exams!

List of Countries and Their National Games

Any sport that is recognised as the national sport of a nation is either popular within that nation or has historical ties to it. National competitions are seen as crucial for the nation or for its cultural ideals. See below for a list of nations and the sports that are played there. We have provided you with the list of country-wise national games in a tabular form:

Name of Countries	National Game
Afghanistan	Buzkashi
Antigua and Barbuda	Cricket
Argentina	Pato
Australia	Cricket and Australian Rules Football (AFL)
Bangladesh	Kabaddi
Barbados	Cricket
Bermuda	Cricket
Bhutan	Archery
Brazil	Capoeira
Bulgaria	Weightlifting
Canada	Ice hockey (In Winter) & Lacrosse (In Summer)
Chile	Chilean rodeo
China	Table Tennis
Cuba	Baseball
Czech Republic	Ice Hockey
Dominican Republic	Baseball
England	Cricket
France	Football
Haiti	Football
Hungary	Water polo
India	Hockey (Not the official but the recognised sport)
Israel	Football
Italy	Football
Indonesia	Badminton
Lithuania	Basketball
Iran	Wrestling
Jamaica	Cricket
Japan	Sumo Wrestling
Malaysia	Sepak Takraw
Mongolia	Mongolian wrestling, archery and horse riding.
Mauritius	Football
Mexico	Charreria
Nepal	Volley Ball
New Zealand	Rugby union
Norway	Skiing
Pakistan	Field Hockey
Philippines	Arnis
Poland	Football
Peru	Paleta Frontón
Russia	Bandy
Scotland	Golf
Serbia	Basketball, water polo, volleyball, and Football
Slovenia	Skiing
South Korea	Tae-kwon-do
SriLanka	Volleyball
Switzerland	Shooting and Gymnastics
Tajikistan	Gushtigiri
Turkey	Oil wrestling
USA	Baseball
Venezuela	Baseball

National Games Prize Money in India

In India, national games are organized by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) every two years. The IOA awards cash prizes to the athletes who win medals in the national games. The prize money for the national games is as follows:

• Gold Medal: INR 5,00,000 (approx. USD 6,700)
• Silver Medal: INR 3,00,000 (approx. USD 4,000)
• Bronze Medal: INR 2,00,000 (approx. USD 2,700)

Scheme of Special Awards to Medal Winners in International Sports Events and their Coaches

In 1986, special awards were proposed and introduced to reward the accomplishments of exceptional athletes, inspire and drive them to further heights, and serve as motivational role models for influencing the next generation to take up sports. These awards will be given in Sports disciplines in the Olympics/Asian Games/Commonwealth Games and in Chess.

Amount of Special Awards to be given for Individual Events at the Senior Level in Open category Sports:

Name of Event	Amount of Award Money (In Rupees)
	Gold Medal	Silver Medal	Bronze Medal
Olympic Games (Summer & Winter)	75 lakh	50 lakh	30 lakh
Asian Games	30 lakh	20 lakh	10 lakh
Common Wealth Games	30 lakh	20 lakh	10 lakh
World Championships or World Cup (conducted in Four Year Cycle)	40 lakh	25 lakh	15 lakh
World Championships/ World Cup (Held once in two years)	20 lakh	14 lakh	8 lakh
World Championships/World Cup (Held annually)/ All England Badminton Championship	10 Lakh	7 Lakh	4 Lakh
Asian Championships (Held once in 4 years)	15 Lakh	10 Lakh	5 Lakh
Asian Championships (Held once in 2 years)	7.5 lakh	5 lakh	2.5 lakh
Asian Championships (Held annually)	3.75 lakh	2.5 lakh	1.25 lakh
Commonwealth Championships (Held once in 4 years)	15 lakh	10 lakh	5 lakh
Commonwealth Championships (Held once in 2 years)	7.5 lakh	5 lakh	2.5 lakh
Commonwealth Championships (Held once in 1 year)	3.75 lakh	2.5 lakh	1.25 lakh
World University Games	3.75 lakh	2.5 lakh	1.25 lakh

The above data has been taken from the official PDF of the Scheme of Special Awards to Medal Winners in International Sports Events and their Coaches

Countries and Their National Games PDF

If you are interested in learning more about the national games of different countries, you can find a comprehensive list of countries and their national games in the form of a PDF. We have provided the direct link to download countries and their national games PDF to help you revise the topic whenever you want to. You can simply click on the link to download the PDF. The countries and their national games PDF can be downloaded for free from the following link.

> Countries and their national games PDF

Football is the National Game of Which Country?

Football, also known as soccer, is the national game of the following countries, namely, countries like France, Haiti, Israel, Italy, Poland, Mauritius and Mongolia. Football, commonly known as association football or football, is a sport in which two teams of 11 players attempt to advance the ball to the goal of the other team by utilising any part of their body other than their hands and arms. Only the custodian is allowed to handle the ball, and only within the area surrounding the goal that is designated as the penalty area. The side with the most goals scored wins. According to the number of players and viewers, football is the most watched sport in the world. The sport may be played practically everywhere, from official football playing fields (pitches) to gymnasiums, streets, school playgrounds, parks, or beaches, thanks to its basic rules and necessary equipment. Over 1.3 billion people worldwide were interested in football at the beginning of the twenty-first century, according to estimates from FIFA, the body that governs the sport. 

What is the National Game of India?

You probably have heard that hockey is India’s national sport, however, that is untrue. According to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, there isn’t a recognised national sport in India. Because of India’s supremacy in the sport from 1928 to 1956, when the Indian team won 8 gold, 1 silver and 3 bronze medals in the Olympics, hockey was formerly regarded as a national sport.