Being a nation so vast that it’s earned the moniker of ‘the subcontinent,’ India has become a global icon in many regards. Among the most prominent perceptions of the country from outside of India’s borders is that it’s also very much a sporting nation, enjoying a great many different competitions.
Every Indian schoolchild is taught that the peacock is India’s national bird, Jana Gana Mana the national anthem and hockey the national sport. However, hockey is not the national sport of India. And the revelation comes straight from the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs. The Ministry says that country does not have a national game as no game has been notified as such.
This revelation came to light in 2012 when a 10-year-old girl named Aishwarya Parashar filed a Right to Information (RTI) request with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to get official declarations on the national anthem, sport, song, bird, animal, flower and the country’s symbol. The PMO forwarded the query to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. In response to the RTI, the ministry confirmed that it had not declared any sport or game as India’s national game.
"The government has not declared any sport/game as the National Game of the country, as the objective of the government is to encourage/promote all popular sports disciplines," the reply from the ministry stated.
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With 28 states and 8 Union Territories, India boasts a highly diverse demographic. The cultural relevance of such a large population becomes a major factor while deciding the national sport of the country. While states like Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu are known predominantly for cricket, states like Goa and the North-Eastern states are known for their excellence in football. Meanwhile, Kabaddi and Hockey have a particular following in several states across the country. With so many sports to choose from, coupled with cultural diversity, it might just explain why India hasn't yet recognised a sport as the 'national game'.