Asian Sports

World Sports played in Ireland include Polo & Polocrosse, first played in Iran and Afghanistan (Polo) and Australia (Polocrosse); Kabaddi (India); and Sepak Takraw (South East Asia). Polo players uses a mallet to hit a ball through two posts while on horseback. Polocrosse is similar except uses a Lacrosse stick rather than a Mallet. Kabaddi is an Indian sport whereby two teams attempt to tag each other and then get back to base without being tagged in the time it takes to hold the breath (this is determined by having to say kabaddi over and over again so that the judge can know the players are not breathing. Sepak Takraw was invented in Thailand or Malaysia, and is a form of Volleyball played with all parts of the body except the arms.

group of men riding horses about to play polo sport — Photo by mentatdgt on Pexels.com

Polo (Iran – Central Asia)

Polo originated in Iran and was introduced to Britain and Ireland by the British Army after it was discovered there.

Polo (Iran)

FIP European Championships: 2016

Polocrosse (Northern Australia)

IPC World Cup (Editions): 2003

Kabaddi (India – South Asia)

Kabaddi is an Indian Tag Game, popular throughout South Asia, whereby a team has to tag players on the opposing team and get back to their own base without being tagged in turn in the time it takes to hold their breath. In order to ensure the players are holding their breath they have to repeat “Kabaddi” over and over again.

Kabaddi (India-South Asia)

Kabaddi Trinity Indian Society 2013

MALAYSIA, KUALA LUMPUR, 10 SEPTEMBER 2017 – Sepak Takraw Athletes perform during 29th Sea Games Kuala Lumpur 2017.

Picture Credit: Mohd Nasirruddin Yazid

Sepak Takraw (Malaysia, Thailand – South East Asia)

Sepak Takraw is a version of Volleyball played with every part of the body except the arms and is Native to Malaysia and Thailand, both of whom claim to have invented it and where the game is a National Sport. It is popular throughout South East and East Asia.

Sepak Takraw (South East Asia)

UCD Sepak Takraw Club 2014-Present

Sepak Takraw League

Papua Sepak Takraw Games XX 2021