Most Popular Sports Around The World

[Yousuf.Chy]

All types of sports are popular globally, but what sports can we call THE most popular in the world? Some of the answers may surprise you.

It's no surprise that football, or what Americans call "soccer" is the world's most popular sport to play and to watch. An estimated 3.5 billion people either watch or play football. The World Cup is the global championship of the sport and this tournament is played every four years. The World Cup itself is one of the highest rated sports on television.

Next, we have cricket. This sport which consists of a bat and a ball, has been around for hundreds of years and originated in England. An estimated 3 billion people watch or play cricket each year.

The next most popular sport is a sure surprise, and that is field hockey, with an estimated 2 billion players or watchers, mostly in Asian countries, European countries, Australia and around Africa. This sport tends to be played in high schools in the United States, usually by girls only.

Coming up next is tennis. Not so surprising, but there are an estimated 1 billion players and watchers of tennis around the world. Tennis tends to be popular in richer countries, including the United States, Asian countries, Australia and Europe. There are four main tournaments in tennis, called "Grand Slams" at which players from many countries play. The first is the Australian Open, then the French Open, Wimbledon and then the US Open in late August. The Grand Slam tournaments tend to get the most attention during the tennis season.

Next we have volleyball. Yet another surprise, with an estimated 900 million viewers or players around the world. Volleyball is popular in the United States, where the sport originated, as well as in Brazil, all over Europe, Russia, China and Japan. Volleyball is a popular high school sport in many countries due to it's team centered play and lack of specialized equipment requirements.

Also popular is table tennis, otherwise known as Ping Pong. This is another surprisingly popular sport around the world, with an estimated 900 million watchers or players. Table tennis originated in England as an after dinner activity for Victorians in the late 19th century. Table tennis as a competitive sport is popular in many countries but is especially popular in China, Korea and Singapore.

After these sports, we have a triumvirate of more mainstream American sports including baseball, golf, American football and basketball, with each sport attracting between 400 and 500 million players or watchers worldwide.

source:http://ezinearticles.com

[papelrezwan]

Thnx Mr. Yousuf for your informative post...

[papelrezwan]

There are two sports in Bangladesh that are celebrated by young and old, rich and poor – cricket and football (soccer). It is not unusual to see groups of children playing these sports with rustic, home made equipment as you make your way through the towns. Many aspire to join one of the great Bangladeshi sporting clubs when they are older. While Bangladesh has not made any waves in the sporting world, certain individuals from this country have excelled in their chosen sport and made the country proud.
Cricket has perhaps the largest following of all. Many Bangladeshis are passionate about the game and the country has a strong domestic league. Bangladesh is able to play Test Cricket against other national teams. The national cricket team is also known as the Tigers. They are named after the Royal Bengal Tiger, the country's national animal. Cricket was introduced to Bangladesh during British rule nearly two centuries ago. While British colonists played the sport in the country, it was largely inaccessible to the common people. All this changed, however, when Bangladesh gained independence in 1971. For the first time the game was open to anyone and everyone and though it grew slowly in its infancy, it soon gained momentum and became the number one sport in the country.
Besides cricket, there are many organized sports such as football, hockey, tennis, badminton, volleyball, handball, chess, carom, wrestling, weightlifting, squash, billiards and snooker. However, many of these sports are not as popular as cricket. Most of the country's sportsmen and women compete at district levels and there are university, armed forces and public sector sporting teams. In response to the country's interest in sporting activities, a large number of sporting clubs have been developed. Some of the most prominent clubs are the Dhaka Wanderers, the Abahani Krirachakra, the Dhaka Mohammedan, the Arambag, the Ajax, the Brothers Union, the Azad, the Dilkusha, the GMCC, the Muktijoddha Sangsad, the Suryatarun, the Kalabagan, the Victoria and the Wari sporting clubs. Often these clubs host national and sometimes even international tournaments, so many of their facilities are kept in the best condition possible. Overall, Bangladeshis are fond of sport and there is a good sporting infrastructure in the country.
Source: http://www.bangladesh.com/sport/

[Mostakima Yesmin]

Thanks Mr. Yousuf for your nice information.

[shaikat]

Only football and cricket are famous in our country.

[Yousuf.Chy]

Thanks everyone.

Saikat vai there is also Kabadi.....

[jafar_bre]

May be cricket is famous ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

regard
  JAFAR IQBAL
 ID: 091-27-128
Department of Real Estate
Daffodil International University

[nature]

I think cricket. and thanks for your informative post.