How Hockey Became National Sport Of India!

When it comes to sport the national sport of a country is designated either on the basis of its popularity of the game in that geographical area, or on the basis of connect with history in that country. Its national game statistics may also rise from the utter fact that the sport in discussion has a long and wide rich legacy in that particular country. One of the most obvious reason for making a sport as the national sport of any country is the obvious association of that sport with pride that evokes in the hearts of all countrymen.
Field Hockey is thus considered as the national game in India. India’s performance and rankings in Hockey at various international forums has been phenomenal during 1920-1950’s period and that was probably the reason why the sport was accepted as national sport of the country.
It is probably known one of the oldest game which is played in today’s time. The simplistic sport which involves guiding a ball with the help of stick has been known to be around even 1200 years before the initiation of the ancient Games of Olympia at Greece. There have been numerous variations of this game that are played through ages by almost all the major races in the world.
The earliest mentioned of the present day game has dated back to 1527, during the time of the Galway Statutes in Scotland, where they were prohibited the game of 'hokie', which is basically the hurling of little ball with the aid of staves or sticks. The currently accepted version of this game of Field Hockey was developed in the 19th century by the British as a famous school game. Further, the London Hockey association was established in the year 1921 and the rules then were consolidated. Moreover, the International Hockey Federation was founded in the year 1924 which took the predominantly British game into the world.
The game was brought in India by the British during the Raj. The first hockey club in India was introduced in Calcutta in 1855 and the Bengal Hockey became the first hockey association in India which was founded in 1908. Also India competed in the Olympics which was held in Amsterdam for the first time in the year 1928.

By: Prerana Sharma
Content: https://www.culturalindia.net/national-symbols/national-game.html