Sport in Myanmar

Myanmar has several sports, with some of them having come during British rule.

History

Modern era

During British rule, efforts were made to civilise the local people, with British sports identified as one way to aid in this process. After independence in 1948, nation-building initiatives and the desire to unite the people using the native culture led to chinlone being adapted as the national sport.

Team sports

Basketball

Burma has a basketball team, which qualified for the Asian Games in the past.

Football

Football is the most popular sport in Myanmar. Similar to football, chinlone is an indigenous sport that utilises a rattan ball and is played using mainly the feet and the knees, but the head and also the arms may be used except the hands.

Equestrian

Equestrian events were held by the royal army in the time of the Burmese kings in the month of Pyatho.