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Indian Sport: Facts and People

For India Week, we are focussing on Indian Sport today, looking at the country's most popular modern sports as well as some of the more traditional ones still played today. To start the day off, check out the facts and stats below that act as an introduction to India's biggest sports.

Cricket

Cricket is by far the most popular sport in India. The country has been hugely successful in all forms of the game, winning both One Day Internationals and 20/20 world tournaments, as well as holding the number 1 spot in Test cricket.

However, there is one player that really stands out in Indian cricket, and indeed world cricket- Sachin Tendulkar. The Little Master is considered by many to be the greatest ever batsman to play the game. He has scored more Test runs AND more ODI runs than any other player in history. He also has the stunning record of 99 international centuries, though has been waiting for that magic hundredth for some time now

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A Trip to Wembley Stadium: England 2-3 Holland

The Home of Football. It's a big name to live up to, especially with the England football team's woeful recent history. But, whilst the team may be struggling along without a permanent manager or captain, Wembley Stadium certainly does not disappoint.

With Euro 2012 now just three months away and the England team dominating the football news in the last month, there was a sense of confusion, but also anticipation in the run up to the game with Holland last night. It was with this backdrop that I caught the tube out to West London.

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A Weekend of Sport: Super Bowl and Six Nations

This weekend is one dominated by sport. If you hate sport and want to try and get away from it, good luck. America will be enjoying one of the biggest sporting events of the year- the Super Bowl, whilst the Six Nations rugby tournament is kicking off in Britain and Europe.

The Super Bowl Spectacle

First up, the behemoth that is the Super Bowl. Each year the finalé of the American Football season seems to get bigger, grander and slightly more ridiculous. This Sunday, Super Bowl XLVI will be played between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots in Indianapolis, and promises not to disappoint. Madonna, supported by MIA and Nicki Minaj, has been confirmed as the performer for the famous half time show.

The statistics surrounding the Super Bowl are just astounding:

  • Last year 163 million Americans watched at least some of the Super Bowl on TV
  • Adverts start at $3.5 million for a 30 second slot
  • 15,000 tons of snacks will be eaten in America on Sunday, with the average viewer consuming 1,200 calories during the game

To get an idea of the huge operation that goes in to creating a spectacle the size of the Super Bowl, watch the video below of the last time these two teams met, four years ago.

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Start of the 2011 Rugby World Cup

The biggest event in the rugby calendar started today in New Zealand, with the opening ceremony and match of the 2011 Rugby World Cup. The event pits the best international rugby teams against each other every four years.

New Zealand's Hopes

Unlike the football world cup, the rugby version is relatively new, this being only the seventh time it has been held. The first was also held in New Zealand in 1987, and was won by the hosts- a feat the ‘All Blacks' (the New Zealand team's nickname) have failed to repeat yet. However, they are hoping that this could be their year, as they have started the tournament as strong favourites, and are currently cruising to victory in their first match, against Tonga.

Even if the New Zealand team disappoints, the tournament will still be a huge occasion for the country. With 95,000 overseas visitors expected to turn up in the next seven weeks, it is the largest sporting event ever held in New Zealand.

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