Sports you’ve never heard of from other countries

In every corner of the Earth, sports make up part of the vital lifeblood of society. From internationally beloved pastimes like soccer and cricket, to more regionalized favorites like hockey and rugby, the vigor, spirit, and tradition around sporting events make them all enveloping cultural experiences perfect for adding authenticity to any itinerary. One can cultivate a truly unique experience by finding out how to engage with sports that are unique to the location where they are played. The following games from around the globe inspire deep passion in their local arenas.

Ostrich racing (South Africa)

Covering up to 16 feet in a single stride, ostriches are the fastest bird on land with a top speed of 43 mph. Ostrich racing traditionally sees jockeys riding a saddle with a harnessed bird, however in recent years, a shift towards having the jockeys ride in wagons has emerged. The sport had an era of more widespread popularity in the U.S. in the 1800s, especially in Florida where ostrich farms were a prominent industry, and it still exists in states like Nevada, Minnesota, Iowa, Kentucky and Louisiana.

Kabaddi (Southeast Asia)

A South Asian favorite that combines some recognizable aspects of wrestling and tag, the game kabaddi originated in Ancient India and enjoys favored status today in both Bangladesh and Nepal. Players hold their breath as they run across a central dividing line attempting to tag as many of the opposing team’s players as they can without being tackled themselves. When the player returns to their own side, they chant “kabaddi, kabaddi” upon exhale to show they have not been breathing.

Buzkashi (Central Asia)

A traditional Central Asian game that has elements of a polo match mixed with the essence of a rodeo, buzkashi is a game played on mounted horseback, wherein players attempt to capture the remains of a goat like it is a ball, circle the field, and leave the body in the appropriate hole. The sport is a beloved national pastime in Afghanistan, where wealthy members of society host matches to show their status. Versions of the game are popular in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, parts of Pakistan and some teams play a version even in the U.S.

Bossaball (Brazil)

A more modern invention borne of a Belgian tennis player living in Spain with an appreciation for Brazilian culture, the sport of bossaball involves an inflatable court, an elevated net, and a confluence of moves from soaring kicks like the best made in soccer, volleyball’s powerful strategic slams and the airborne flying tricks of gymnastics. The new relationships to gravity allowed by the playing surface inspires novel levels of team interaction and elevated levels of excitement.

Pole toppling (Japan)

What began as a military training exercise has transformed into an energetic, elevated exchange in the form of Bo-taoshi, a game that involves teams of 75 competing to topple an upright pole while thwarting each others’ efforts at the same. Players tackle, scrum, clamber and climb, putting their bodies on the line in the attack or defense of the mast, usually with a player on top who knocks others down with kicks from his lofty position.