Sports have always been an important part of the country’s entertainment and culture. People are passionate about sports in India. While hockey is officially the national game of India, cricket is highly revered and deeply connected with the hearts of sports fans. Apart from cricket and hockey, there are several other sports like football, badminton, tennis, wrestling, chess, etc. that are popular amongst sports enthusiasts. Also, there are some traditional sports and games played in rural India like kabaddi, kho kho, kite flying and more. These have been an integral part of rural India’s ancient culture.
Cricket
Cricket is by far the most popular sport in India. In fact, it is played at every nook and corner of cities and towns with immense passion and zeal. The country has been participating in several international cricket matches including the Cricket World Cup, ICC Champions Trophy and Twenty20 World Cup. Some of the cricket legends revered at an international level include names like Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Mahender Singh Dhoni, etc.. All cricket matches are regularly broadcast live on TV, so, if you enjoy the game, you won't miss any excitement. You can even try attending a match hosted in the country.
Soccer
Football is fairly popular in India. The football federation of India has been affiliated with FIFA (the international governing body for football) since 1948. The game is played in the country at different levels. The best teams come from the state of Bengal, (in the east of India), thanks to the sincere efforts of local sports authorities. The national team regularly participates in the Asian Games football competition. Although the Indian national soccer team has a ranking of 156 in FIFA, it is still the second most played and watched sport in India.
Hockey
Hockey is the national sport of India. The country won the international title in the world cup hockey tournament in 1975, held in Malaysia. Over the past few years, the sports authorities of the country are taking a keen interest in improving the status of the game at the international level.
Tennis
It's been a few years that tennis has brought international acclaim to the country's sports federation. The Indian sports authorities have also taken initiatives to promote this game at international level. The International Premier Tennis League, launched in 2015, aims at promoting tennis to the same level as the Grand Slam and other international tournaments. Prominent tennis players like Sania Mirza, Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna have represented India at international matches and acquired world records.
Other sports in India
Apart from these sports, other sports have earned international acclaim including wrestling, badminton, chess, etc..
Some of the most adventurous and exciting activities, like kayaking in rivers, mountaineering, skiing, paragliding, bungee jumping, and trekking are also popular amongst adventure enthusiasts.
Yoga
If you are looking for relaxation or peace of mind, you will find some of the best techniques practised in India. Yoga and meditation are ancient Indian practices that help not only in achieving physical well-being but also perfect physiological balance and control. In fact, many people from across the world come to India on yoga vacations to find peace and tranquillity. There are many yoga ashrams and meditation centres that help people shed their stress and find a much-needed escape from the clutter of daily life.
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