Sports are extremely important to Punjabis. Punjabis adore the national and international sports of wrestling (Kuśatī – ਕੁਸ਼ਤੀ) and kabaddi (Kabaḍī – ਕਬੱਡੀ), which are played all throughout India and Pakistan. Punjabis participate in a wide range of sports and games, from more contemporary ones like hockey, football, and cricket to more traditional ones like Kabaḍī, Kuśatī, and so on.
In this article, we will take you on a sports journey and tell you all that you need to know about the popular sports played in the Punjab region. But first, let’s start with getting the Punjabi sports vocabulary right.
Punjabi Sports Vocabulary
Here is a list of all the category of sports and what they are called in Punjabi. This list can definitely help you in talking about sports.
| English | Punjabi | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|
| Air Sports | ਹਵਾਈ ਖੇਡ | havā’ī khēḍa |
| Athletics | ਐਥਲੈਟਿਕਸ | aithalaiṭikasa |
| Ball Sports | ਬਾਲ ਖੇਡਾਂ | bāla khēḍāṁ |
| Board Sports | ਬੋਰਡ ਸਪੋਰਟਸ | bōraḍa sapōraṭasa |
| Combat Sports | ਲੜਾਈ ਦੀਆਂ ਖੇਡਾਂ | laṛā’ī dī’āṁ khēḍāṁ |
| Cycle Sports | ਸਾਈਕਲ ਖੇਡਾਂ | sā’īkala khēḍāṁ |
| Gymnastics | ਜਿਮਨਾਸਟਿਕ | jimanāsaṭika |
| Ice Sports | ਆਈਸ ਖੇਡਾਂ | ā’īsa khēḍāṁ |
| Indoor Sports | ਅੰਦਰੂਨੀ ਖੇਡਾਂ | adarūnī khēḍāṁ |
| Mind Sports | ਦਿਮਾਗ ਦੀਆਂ ਖੇਡਾਂ | Dimāga dī’āṁ khēḍāṁ |
| Motorsports | ਮੋਟਰਸਪੋਰਟਸ | mōṭarasapōraṭasa |
| Racket Sports | ਰੈਕੇਟ ਖੇਡਾਂ | Raikēṭa khēḍāṁ |
| Strength Sports | ਤਾਕਤ ਦੀਆਂ ਖੇਡਾਂ | tākata dī’āṁ khēḍāṁ |
| Target Sports | ਨਿਸ਼ਾਨਾ ਖੇਡਾਂ | niśānā khēḍāṁ |
| Water Sports | ਪਾਣੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਖੇਡਾਂ | Pāṇī dī’āṁ khēḍāṁ |
Useful Sentences
Here are some useful sentences about the vocabulary that you have just learned above. You can also learn Punjabi verbs and Punjabi Pronouns to make sentences using these words.
| English | Punjabi | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|
| Are board sports the same as indoor sports? | ਕੀ ਬੋਰਡ ਖੇਡਾਂ ਇਨਡੋਰ ਖੇਡਾਂ ਵਾਂਗ ਹੀ ਹਨ? | Kī bōraḍa khēḍāṁ inaḍōra khēḍāṁ vāṅga hī hana? |
| Athletics are not the same as gymnastics. | ਅਥਲੈਟਿਕਸ ਜਿਮਨਾਸਟਿਕ ਵਰਗੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ। | Athalaiṭikasa jimanāsaṭika varagī nahīṁ hai. |
| Board sports are not really famous anymore. | ਬੋਰਡ ਖੇਡਾਂ ਹੁਣ ਅਸਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਮਸ਼ਹੂਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਹਨ. | Bōraḍa khēḍāṁ huṇa asala vica maśahūra nahīṁ hana. |
| Have you ever taken part in Air sports? | ਕੀ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਦੇ ਹਵਾਈ ਖੇਡਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਹਿੱਸਾ ਲਿਆ ਹੈ? | Kī tusīṁ kadē havā’ī khēḍāṁ vica hisā li’ā hai? |
| I don’t know anything about Ball sports. | ਮੈਨੂੰ ਬਾਲ ਖੇਡਾਂ ਬਾਰੇ ਕੁਝ ਨਹੀਂ ਪਤਾ। | Mainū bāla khēḍāṁ bārē kujha nahīṁ patā. |
| Looking at athletics makes me feel happy. | ਐਥਲੈਟਿਕਸ ਨੂੰ ਦੇਖ ਕੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਮਿਲਦੀ ਹੈ। | Aithalaiṭikasa nū dēkha kē mainū khuśī miladī hai. |
| Target sports can sharpen your vision. | ਟੀਚੇ ਵਾਲੀਆਂ ਖੇਡਾਂ ਤੁਹਾਡੀ ਨਜ਼ਰ ਨੂੰ ਤਿੱਖਾ ਕਰ ਸਕਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ। | Ṭīcē vālī’āṁ khēḍāṁ tuhāḍī nazara nū tikhā kara sakadī’āṁ hana. |
| Water sports help you calm your nerves and become more flexible. | ਪਾਣੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਖੇਡਾਂ ਤੁਹਾਡੀਆਂ ਤੰਤੂਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਸ਼ਾਂਤ ਕਰਨ ਅਤੇ ਵਧੇਰੇ ਲਚਕਦਾਰ ਬਣਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਤੁਹਾਡੀ ਮਦਦ ਕਰਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ। | Pāṇī dī’āṁ khēḍāṁ tuhāḍī’āṁ tatū’āṁ nū śānta karana atē vadhērē lacakadāra baṇana vica tuhāḍī madada karadī’āṁ hana. |
| You can improve your strength by going for strength sports | ਤੁਸੀਂ ਤਾਕਤ ਵਾਲੀਆਂ ਖੇਡਾਂ ਲਈ ਜਾ ਕੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਤਾਕਤ ਨੂੰ ਸੁਧਾਰ ਸਕਦੇ ਹੋ | Tusīṁ tākata vālī’āṁ khēḍāṁ la’ī jā kē āpaṇī tākata nū sudhāra sakadē hō |
Board Sports
Here is a list of all the sports that you should most definitely know about.
| English | Punjabi | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|
| All-terrain Windsurfing | ਆਲ-ਟੇਰੇਨ ਵਿੰਡਸਰਫਿੰਗ | āla-ṭērēna viḍasaraphiga |
| Bodyboarding | ਬਾਡੀਬੋਰਡਿੰਗ | bāḍībōraḍiga |
| Carveboarding | ਕਾਰਵਬੋਰਡਿੰਗ | kāravabōraḍiga |
| Freeboarding | ਫ੍ਰੀਬੋਰਡਿੰਗ | phrībōraḍiga |
| Hoverboarding | ਹੋਵਰਬੋਰਡਿੰਗ | hōvarabōraḍiga |
| Kiteboarding | Kiteboarding | Kiteboarding |
| Kite-landboarding | ਪਤੰਗ-ਲੈਂਡਬੋਰਡਿੰਗ | pataga-laiṇḍabōraḍiga |
| Kneeboarding | ਗੋਡੇ ਲਗਾਉਣਾ | gōḍē lagā’uṇā |
| Longboarding | ਲੌਂਗਬੋਰਡਿੰਗ | lauṅgabōraḍiga |
| Mountainboarding | ਪਹਾੜੀ ਬੋਰਡਿੰਗ | pahāṛī bōraḍiga |
| Riverboarding | ਰਿਵਰਬੋਰਡਿੰਗ | rivarabōraḍiga |
| Skateboarding | ਸਕੇਟਬੋਰਡਿੰਗ | sakēṭabōraḍiga |
| Skurfing | Skurfing | Skurfing |
| Snakeboarding | ਸਨੈਕਬੋਰਡਿੰਗ | sanaikabōraḍiga |
| Snowboarding | ਸਨੋਬੋਰਡਿੰਗ | sanōbōraḍiga |
| Snowskating | ਸਨੋਸਕੇਟਿੰਗ | sanōsakēṭiga |
| Streetsurfing | ਸਟ੍ਰੀਟਸਰਫਿੰਗ | saṭrīṭasaraphiga |
| Surfing | ਸਰਫਿੰਗ | saraphiga |
| Wakeboarding | ਵੇਕਬੋਰਡਿੰਗ | vēkabōraḍiga |
| Windsurfing | ਵਿੰਡਸਰਫਿੰਗ | viḍasaraphiga |
Athletic Sports
| English | Punjabi | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | ਤੀਰਅੰਦਾਜ਼ੀ | tīra’adāzī |
| Cycling | ਸਾਈਕਲਿੰਗ | sā’īkaliga |
| Discus Throw | ਡਿਸਕਸ ਥ੍ਰੋ | ḍisakasa thrō |
| Gymnastics | ਜਿਮਨਾਸਟਿਕ | jimanāsaṭika |
| High jump | ਉੱਚੀ ਛਾਲ | ucī chāla |
| Hurdling | ਅੜਿੱਕਾ | aṛikā |
| Javelin throw | ਜੈਵਲਿਨ ਸੁੱਟ | jaivalina suṭa |
| Long jump | ਲੰਮੀ ਛਾਲ | lamī chāla |
| Pole Vault | ਪੋਲ ਵਾਲਟ | pōla vālaṭa |
| Relay race | ਰੀਲੇਅ ਦੌੜ | rīlē’a dauṛa |
| Shooting | ਸ਼ੂਟਿੰਗ | śūṭiga |
| Shot put | ਸ਼ਾਟ ਪੁਟ | śāṭa puṭa |
| Swimming | ਤੈਰਾਕੀ | tairākī |
| Taekwondo | ਤਾਈਕਵਾਂਡੋ | tā’īkavāṇḍō |
| Wrestling | ਕੁਸ਼ਤੀ | kuśatī |
Water Sports
Let’s now look at the list of all the water sports famous in Punjab.
| English | Punjabi | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|
| Barefoot Water-skiing | ਨੰਗੇ ਪੈਰ ਵਾਟਰ ਸਕੀਇੰਗ | nagē paira vāṭara sakī’iga |
| Horse Surfing | ਘੋੜਾ ਸਰਫਿੰਗ | ghōṛā saraphiga |
| Jet Boating | ਜੈੱਟ ਬੋਟਿੰਗ | jaiṭa bōṭiga |
| Kayak Surfing | ਕਯਾਕ ਸਰਫਿੰਗ | kayāka saraphiga |
| Raft Rodeo | ਰਾਫਟ ਰੋਡੀਓ | rāphaṭa rōḍī’ō |
| Scuba Diving | ਸਕੂਬਾ ਡਾਇਵਿੰਗ | sakūbā ḍā’iviga |
| Sea Walking | ਸਮੁੰਦਰੀ ਸੈਰ | samudarī saira |
| Spinnaker Flying | ਸਪਿੰਨੇਕਰ ਫਲਾਇੰਗ | sapinēkara phalā’iga |
| Sub-wing Diving | ਸਬ-ਵਿੰਗ ਗੋਤਾਖੋਰੀ | saba-viga gōtākhōrī |
| Surf-skiing | ਸਰਫ-ਸਕੀਇੰਗ | sarapha-sakī’iga |
| Underwater Hockey | ਅੰਡਰਵਾਟਰ ਹਾਕੀ | aḍaravāṭara hākī |
| Underwater Scooter | ਅੰਡਰਵਾਟਰ ਸਕੂਟਰ | aḍaravāṭara sakūṭara |
| Wake-skating | ਵੇਕ-ਸਕੇਟਿੰਗ | vēka-sakēṭiga |
| Yoga paddle | ਯੋਗਾ ਪੈਡਲ | yōgā paiḍala |
Air Sports
There are not many air sports in Punjab but still, you should know the most famous ones just in case you are ever having a conversation with someone about sports. So without further ado, let’s get started!
| English | Punjabi | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|
| Aerobatics | ਐਰੋਬੈਟਿਕਸ | airōbaiṭikasa |
| Aeromodelling | ਐਰੋਮੋਡਲਿੰਗ | airōmōḍaliga |
| Air racing | ਏਅਰ ਰੇਸਿੰਗ | ē’ara rēsiga |
| Ballooning | ਬੈਲੂਨਿੰਗ | bailūniga |
| Bodyflight | ਬਾਡੀਫਲਾਈਟ | bāḍīphalā’īṭa |
| Canopy piloting | ਕੈਨੋਪੀ ਪਾਇਲਟਿੰਗ | kainōpī pā’ilaṭiga |
| Cluster ballooning | ਕਲੱਸਟਰ ਬੈਲੂਨਿੰਗ | kalasaṭara bailūniga |
| Drone racing | ਡਰੋਨ ਰੇਸਿੰਗ | ḍarōna rēsiga |
| Flyboarding | ਫਲਾਈਬੋਰਡਿੰਗ | phalā’ībōraḍiga |
| Hang gliding | ਹੈਂਗ ਗਲਾਇਡਿੰਗ | haiṅga galā’iḍiga |
| High diving | ਉੱਚ ਗੋਤਾਖੋਰੀ | uca gōtākhōrī |
| Hopper ballooning | ਹੌਪਰ ਬੈਲੂਨਿੰਗ | haupara bailūniga |
| Human-powered flying | ਮਨੁੱਖੀ-ਸੰਚਾਲਿਤ ਉਡਾਣ | manukhī-sacālita uḍāṇa |
| Kite fighting | ਪਤੰਗ ਦੀ ਲੜਾਈ | pataga dī laṛā’ī |
| Kiteboarding/kitesurfing | Kiteboarding/kitesurfing | Kiteboarding/kitesurfing |
| Parachuting and skydiving | ਪੈਰਾਸ਼ੂਟਿੰਗ ਅਤੇ ਸਕਾਈਡਾਈਵਿੰਗ | pairāśūṭiga atē sakā’īḍā’īviga |
| Paragliding | ਪੈਰਾਗਲਾਈਡਿੰਗ | pairāgalā’īḍiga |
| Powered hang gliding | ਪਾਵਰਡ ਹੈਂਗ ਗਲਾਈਡਿੰਗ | pāvaraḍa haiṅga galā’īḍiga |
| Powered paragliding | ਪਾਵਰਡ ਪੈਰਾਗਲਾਈਡਿੰਗ | pāvaraḍa pairāgalā’īḍiga |
| Rally flying | ਰੈਲੀ ਫਲਾਇੰਗ | railī phalā’iga |
| Ultralight aviation | ਅਲਟ੍ਰਾਲਾਈਟ ਹਵਾਬਾਜ਼ੀ | alaṭrālā’īṭa havābāzī |
Target Sports
Here is a list of all the Target sports to know in Punjabi.
| English | Punjabi | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | ਤੀਰਅੰਦਾਜ਼ੀ | tīra’adāzī |
| Billiards | ਬਿਲੀਅਰਡਸ | bilī’araḍasa |
| Bowling | ਗੇਂਦਬਾਜ਼ੀ | gēndabāzī |
| Croquet | ਕ੍ਰੋਕੇਟ | krōkēṭa |
| Darts | ਡਾਰਟਸ | ḍāraṭasa |
| Five Pin Bowling | ਪੰਜ ਪਿੰਨ ਗੇਂਦਬਾਜ਼ੀ | paja pina gēndabāzī |
| Golf | ਗੋਲਫ | gōlapha |
| Hunting | ਸ਼ਿਕਾਰ | śikāra |
| Knife Throwing | ਚਾਕੂ ਸੁੱਟਣਾ | cākū suṭaṇā |
| Lawn Bowling | ਲਾਅਨ ਗੇਂਦਬਾਜ਼ੀ | lā’ana gēndabāzī |
| Marbles | ਸੰਗਮਰਮਰ | sagamaramara |
| Miniature Golf | ਲਘੂ ਗੋਲਫ | laghū gōlapha |
| Rolle Bolle | ਰੋਲੇ ਬੋਲੇ | rōlē bōlē |
Gymnastics
Finally, let’s look at the most loved category of sports i.e., gymnastics which everyone in Punjab sees in several fairs called mela (ਮੇਲਾ).
| English | Punjabi | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|
| Acrobatic gymnastics | ਐਕਰੋਬੈਟਿਕ ਜਿਮਨਾਸਟਿਕ | Aikarōbaiṭika jimanāsaṭika |
| Aerobic gymnastics | ਏਰੋਬਿਕ ਜਿਮਨਾਸਟਿਕ | ērōbika jimanāsaṭika |
| Artistic gymnastics | ਕਲਾਤਮਕ ਜਿਮਨਾਸਟਿਕ | kalātamaka jimanāsaṭika |
| Parkour | ਪਾਰਕੌਰ | pārakaura |
| Rhythmic gymnastics | ਰਿਦਮਿਕ ਜਿਮਨਾਸਟਿਕ | ridamika jimanāsaṭika |
| Trampolining | ਟ੍ਰੈਂਪੋਲਿੰਗ | ṭraimpōliga |
| Tumbling | ਟੰਬਲਿੰਗ | ṭabaliga |
Popular Sports In Punjab
Punjab created the Sports Department to grow and promote sports. Players can get in touch with the department to find out about a range of things, such as future events, coaching, and scholarships.
Since 2014, the state government has been working on programs to develop Punjab’s rural sports and traditional sports. Kabaddi is one of several sports that will be played in the state.
Kabaddi (ਕਬੱਡੀ)
The contact sport of Punjabi Kabaddi, often referred to as Circle Style Kabaddi, was developed in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent. It is one of the most popular sports played in the Indian subcontinent. India and Pakistan are the top two teams because it is played on both sides of Punjab.
The Asian Games now feature a variation of kabaddi, a modern version that was developed specifically for indoor mat play. Every year, about 1000 circle kabaddi events are held in Punjab. It demonstrates how well-liked the sport is in the region and how significant it is to Punjabi culture. The sport has a lot of popularity in Punjabi culture.
India’s Patna hosted the first Women’s Kabaddi World Cup in 2012. Iran was defeated in the championship match against India. India successfully defended its championship in 2013, defeating rookies New Zealand.
Pakistan won the 2020 Kabaddi World Cup, which was hosted in the country’s capital city of Lahore. This World Cup included ten competing international teams. The women’s competition debuted in 2012. Pakistan defeated India in the final match to claim the title of 2020 Punjabi Kabaddi Champion.
Traditional Punjabi Kabaddi Styles
Here is a list of the most important Traditional Punjabi Kabaddi Styles or ravā’itī pajābī kabaḍī saṭā’īla (ਰਵਾਇਤੀ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਕਬੱਡੀ ਸਟਾਈਲ) in which many Punjabi families participate.
Labī Kabaḍī (ਲੰਬੀ ਕਬੱਡੀ)
In Labī Kabaḍī (ਲੰਬੀ ਕਬੱਡੀ), the circular field is 15-20 feet in diameter and there are 15 players. There is no upper bound. The participants are free to move as long as they can while running. These games do not require a referee. Throughout the assault, the runner will repeat “Kabaḍī, kabaḍī,” without breaking the chant.
Saunchi Kabaḍī (ਸੌਚੀ ਕਬੱਡੀ)
Saunchi Kabaḍī (ਸੌਚੀ ਕਬੱਡੀ) is slightly like boxing. It is well-liked in Punjab’s Malwa region. It has an endless number of players and a circular playing field. The raider who wins the match parades a bamboo stick that has been buried in the ground and covered with a red cloth. The raider will only strike the defender on the chest in this sport.
After that, the defender will grab the raider’s wrist. If any other part of the body is seized, it is considered a foul. The defender will be deemed the winner if he grabs the raider’s wrist and prevents him from moving. The raider will prevail if they are able to free themselves from the defender’s hold.
Goongi Kabaḍī (ਡੰਬੀ ਕਬੱਡੀ)
Another popular sport is Goongi Kabaḍī (ਡੰਬੀ ਕਬੱਡੀ) that translates to ‘Dumb Kabaddi’, where a player does not pronounce or use the term “kabaddi,” but merely touches a member of the other team. Only that player will attempt to stop the raider player who has been touched.
The struggle goes on until he makes it to the starting line, concedes defeat, and forfeits a point, or if he successfully crosses the finish line, he is awarded the point.
Hockey (ਹਾਕੀ)
The majority of the Indian national hockey team’s players are from Punjab. The rich and beautiful hockey history of Punjab, which has produced many players of the highest caliber, has made hockey increasingly popular.
All hockey lovers in Punjab adore the Hockey India League because it is such an exciting and popular sport. Thousands of people come to watch and entertain themselves. When India performs well on the international stage, Punjabis celebrations are on the next level.
Achievements
India recently won the hockey Asia Cup, and Punjabis were ecstatic about it. The majority of Punjab’s population saw India beat Malaysia in the Asia Cup final.
Between 1928 and 1956, the Indian hockey team, which included a number of players from Punjab, went undefeated in “field hockey,” winning six consecutive gold medals.
Balbir Singh, who is a native of Punjab in the Jalandhar district, competed for India’s gold-medal hockey team at three successive Summer Olympic Games.
The state has also generated a number of well-known athletes and players. Gurjit Kaur and Reena Khokhar, two players from Punjab, are on the women’s hockey team, which captured hearts with its performance and a fourth-place finish.
Cricket (ਕ੍ਰਿਕਟ)
One of Punjabis’ favorite sports is cricket. The Punjab Cricket Association oversees the sport on a state level. An Indian Premier League franchise cricket team called the Kings XI Punjab is situated in Mohali, Punjab.
There are an estimated 2.5 billion cricket lovers worldwide, with the bulk of them living in the Asian nations of Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Punjabis are particularly passionate about Cricket.
People of any age can play cricket with simply a taped ball, a bat, and a wicket. In Punjab, tap ball cricket is most popularly played in parks and on the streets.
Punjab Cricket Team
There is a separate Punjab cricket squad, which is regarded as one of the top cricket teams that represent the Punjab Indian state. Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, and Shubhman Gill are notable Punjab players who have represented India internationally.
Football (ਫੁੱਟਬਾਲ)
In a country that is mostly focused on cricket, football is a well-liked sport, especially in Punjab. One of the most well-known football players in Punjab was Gurmit Singh Kullar, who participated in the 1932 Olympics.
The state government has been working on projects to promote the Punjab Rural Games since 2014 in an effort to promote traditional Punjabi games.
This sport can be played practically at any place and thanks to its basic rules and simple equipment, it can be played anywhere including gyms, streets, school playgrounds, parks, and beaches in addition to official football playing areas.
The Rural Olympics
A well-known village in Punjab called Kila Raipur is located close to Ludhiana. Its fame stems from the annual rural sports event that takes place. Punjabi men and women compete in a variety of athletic events to display their prowess and power.
This athletic event has sometimes been referred to as Punjab’s “Rural Olympics.” Bullock cart racing, kabaddi, and many more athletic sports are among the important sports categories during this festival. Due to numerous foreign tourists visiting this region and sharing their experiences online, this event has become more and more popular.
One of the most popular activities in Punjab is attending this festival. Every year in February, which is the ideal month to visit Kila Raipur, this sports festival is organized. For the purpose of showcasing Punjab’s rural culture, this sports event is crucial. By taking a road from the city of Ludhiana, you may access the village with ease.
Wrapping Up
If you are planning to visit Punjab and want to enjoy all these popular sports, implement all the suggestions featured in this blog post. Also, if you find the content on this article helpful, do share it with your friends.
The Ling app is the best app if you want to learn Punjabi. You can create your own profile and benefit from the features of this website. There is no age limit for learning new languages and the same goes for this app. It’s never too early or too late!
Updated by Punya
