Sport is popular for many reasons. Many people say that sports are important for keeping healthy. Others will say they are doing sports for recreation. People who enjoy watching sports are more likely to be involved than those who don’t necessarily take part in them.
People have been inspired and amazed by the extraordinary feats of athletic talent for thousands of years. Here’s a quick overview of some of the most popular international sports.
1. Football (Soccer), 4 billion fans
Football, also known in Canada and the USA as soccer, is the most popular sport in the world, with an estimated 4 billion fans. While football was established in England in the 19th century, it is clear that similar games have been played in China for more than two thousand years.
The popularity of football can be attributed, unlike other sports that require expensive equipment, to play it you need a ball and a foot. Many OTT platforms like Hotstar, Amazon prime, Pirlotv, Jio Tv, etc.. started to show sports streaming especially football and cricket. It is affordable for everyone regardless of income. You can play it anywhere, but the most popular areas are South America, Central America, South America, and Africa.
2. Cricket – 2.5 Billion Fans
It is a testimony to the popularity of cricket that there are 2.5 billion fans. It is very popular in the UK as well as other ex-colonies like India, Pakistan, and Australia. In that it involves two teams, a bat and a large field, it is very similar to baseball. There are however some differences. A rectangular pitch at the center of a cricket field is where the ball will go to a batter. A batter is facing a mound at home plate.
3. Hockey – 2 Billion Fans
There are two billion hockey fans, both on and off the ice. Field hockey is popular in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. However, ice hockey is much more popular in Canada and the US. Two teams will compete to hit the puck with a hockey stick into a net belonging to the opposing team. Field hockey is different from ice hockey because it doesn’t require contact with the body, such as checking.
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4. Tennis – 1 Billion
More than 1 billion people worldwide watch tennis, with many others tuning in from all over the world. To score points, tennis players aim to hit the ball with a racket and either pass their opponents or bounce on their opponent’s side twice. Roger Federer and Serena Williams are Tennis legends.
5. Volleyball – 900 Million
Volleyball involves two teams. Each team is given a net to raise the ball and each team tries to score points by “volleying” it onto the ground. This is a very popular sport that has been enjoyed by more than 900 million people around the world. It is played mainly in North America, Western Europe, Asia, and Australia. The most popular form of beach volleyball is the one that’s played on sand. Beach volleyball is played on the sand, and there are two teams instead of six.
6. Table Tennis – 875 million
The game is similar to tennis, but there is a net in the middle and players are trying to pass their opponents. Table tennis, also known as Ping Pong in English, was developed in England in the early 20th century. With an estimated 875 million players, the game is very popular around the world. It is particularly popular in Asia, but it is also very popular in Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
7. Basketball – 825 million
James Naismith invented basketball in late 19th-century Canada. It is played all over the world and is estimated to have a following of 825 million. To score points, basketball is played by two teams. They dribble the ball up a court and then shoot it into a raised, net-shaped net. Basketball is a great sport for those who like to run, jump, and shoot. It is similar to football (soccer) and is very popular because it requires only two baskets and one ball.
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8. Baseball – 500 million
America’s national pastime, baseball, is believed to be a descendant of the English games, rounders, and cricket. Two teams compete to hit the ball between two lines. The batters then run around bases trying to score runs. Baseball is very popular today, not just in the USA, but also in East Asia, Latin America, and East Asia. There are an estimated 500 million fans of this sport.
9. Rugby – 475 million
An estimated 475 million people follow rugby. It originated in England, and it is most popular in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. To score points, rugby involves two teams trying to kick, pass, or carry a ball over an end line (goal). Rugby, like American football, is a contact sport that involves a lot more tackling. Rugby players, on the other hand, are not protected as much as American football players who wear hard helmets and padding.
10. Golf – 450 million
The game involves putting a small ball into a hole using the fewest strokes. An estimated 450million people love it. During the 15th century, golf was invented in Scotland. However, the Dutch word “kolf” (or “kolve”), which means “club”, is where the name golf was first created. Golf is very popular in North America, East Asia, and Western Europe.
Conclusion
The history of sports is almost as old as the history of human civilization. Historical evidence shows that humans have been playing sports for over 3,000 years. While many things have changed in sports over the years, there are still some aspects that remain constant. Many sports have seen a revolution in how they are played today thanks to new technology.
The science of sport is also a relatively new concept. This refers to the application of science to improve the performance of athletes and other aspects of the sport. The latest trend in sports is to make them safer. Future athletes may be less at risk than their past or present counterparts.