For most sports lovers in India, it is quite surprising to know that hockey is not a national game in India. When people think of India’s sports identity, hockey often comes to mind. It is associated with the rich story of the country’s history of Olympic and the prestigious players like Dhyan Chand. However, a question that often arises: Is there any national sport of India? Surprisingly for many people, there is no answer – India does not have an officially announced national game.
Hockey is the National Game of India: Common misception
For decades, hockey is considered as a national sport in India. This belief comes from India’s golden age in the Olympics, where the country dominated field hockey and won several gold medals. Players like Dhyan became a national hero, and hockey was deeply listed in Indian sports culture. This historical prominence led many people to believe that hockey was formally recognized as a national sport.
National Sport of India: No Official Designation
Despite its popularity and legacy, is hockey the national sport of India? According to a response from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in 2020, the answer is no. The ministry clarified this in response to an RTI (Right to Information) query filed by a school teacher, who sought to know when hockey was declared India’s national sport. The ministry’s reply confirmed that there is no official national sport of India, and no sport has been legally or officially designated as such.
Government’s Position for Sportsmanship
The government’s reasoning behind this is inclusive and further visible. Instead of focusing on the same sport, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports aims to promote all sports equally. This approach supports India’s various sports talents, from cricket and football to badminton, wrestling, athletics and more. This idea is to create a balanced sports culture that encourages participation and development in different subjects.
Why Confusion?
The state of confusion for what is the national game in India can be attributed to emotional and historical attachment. The game has played an important role in shaping India’s early global sports identity. However, misunderstanding persists largely due to lack of consciousness and deep underlying heritage from previous performance.
India – a Nation with Many Sports
India today is the home of a vibrant and diverse sports ecosystem. Cricket undoubtedly enjoys massive popularity, while sports such as Badminton, Kabaddi, wrestling and athletics have also received attention because of international success and better infrastructure. The government’s investment in initiatives such as Sports and the Olympics shows a change in the nutrition of multisport development across the country.
Conclusion
Is there any national sport in India? There is no answer. Despite widespread trust, hockey is not officially a national sport in India. The government has taken a clear stand in favor of inclusion, choosing not to nominate a single game as a national sport. Instead, it encourages growth and recognition of all sports to create a good sports culture for future generations.
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