Sports in India are a part of Indian culture.
India has many traditional sports such as kabbadi, kho kho, pehlwani, and gilli-danda. Also, there are sports which were imported from the West such as football, rugby union, cricket, golf, tennis, squash, hockey, Javelin throw, boxing, snooker, and billiards. Sports are popular with both participants and onlookers.
The history of traditional sports is ancient.[1]
In general, the most popular sports in modern India are the ones which do not include bodily contact.[2] For example, cricket is the most important sport on television.[3]
In the regions of Bengal and Kerala, Association football is very popular.[2]
India has hosted international sporting events, including the 2011 Cricket World Cup.
See the main article: India at the Olympics |
Indian athletes have competed in 32 Olympic games in 19 countries.[4] The Indian national team has won gold medals in Summer Olympic Games, including
India has competed in many Commonwealth Games; and India was the host country to the 2010 Commonwealth Games.