National Game of Argentina

Pato, also called juego del pato (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈxweɣo ðel ˈpato], literally “duck game”), is a game played on horseback that combines elements from polo and basketball. It is the national game of Argentina and is played by two teams of four players each. The goal of the game is to score points by throwing a leather ball (pato) through a hoop that is suspended from a post.

The pato is a six-handled ball that is carried in a net attached to the rider’s saddle. Players can use their hands or a mallet to control the pato. To score a goal, a player must ride at full gallop and throw the pato through the hoop. If a player is carrying the pato and is fouled by an opponent, the team is awarded a penalty shot.

Pato is a fast-paced and exciting sport that requires a high level of horsemanship and skill. It is a popular spectator sport in Argentina and is also played in other countries such as Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay.

Argentina’s National Game

The national game of Argentina is Pato, a game played on horseback that combines elements of polo and basketball. It is a fast-paced and exciting sport that requires a high level of horsemanship and skill.

This game is played by two teams of four players each. The goal of the game is to score points by throwing a leather ball (pato) through a hoop suspended from a post. The peto is a six-handed ball held in a net attached to the rider’s saddle. Players can use their hands or a hammer to control Peto. To score a goal, the player must run at full gallop and throw the peto through the hoop. If a player is taking a puck and is fouled by an opponent, the team is awarded a penalty shot.

The game is played on a large field that is divided into two halves. The field is divided by a center line and each half has a goal at either end. The game is played in four quarters, each of which is 12 minutes long.

Pato is a popular spectator sport in Argentina and is also played in other countries such as Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay. The game is said to have originated in the 17th century and was played by gauchos. The first official rules of pateo were published in 1936, and in 1953 the game was declared the national game of Argentina.

History of Pato in Argentina

The history of pato in Argentina can be traced back to the 17th century when gauchos (Argentine cowboys) would play a game called “corrida de pato” (duck race). In this game, players would race on horseback to grab a dead duck that was wrapped in leather and had four handles. The first player to reach the finish line with the duck would win the game.

Over time, the rules of the game evolved and it became known as pato. The duck was replaced with a leather ball with six handles, and the goal of the game was to score points by throwing the ball through a hoop that was suspended from a post.

Pato became a popular sport among gauchos and was often played at social gatherings and festivals. In the late 19th century, the game began to attract the attention of the upper class, and polo clubs began to sponsor pato matches.

In 1936, the first official rules of pato were published. The rules were based on the rules of polo, but there were some important differences. For example, in polo, players can use their mallets to hit the ball in any direction. In pato, players can only use their mallets to hit the ball in the forward direction.

In 1953, pato was declared the national sport of Argentina. Yet, the game never achieved the same level of popularity as football (soccer). Besides, pato remains an important part of Argentine culture and is still played by people of all ages.

Some Popular games in Argentina

Here are some of the most popular games in Argentina:

• Football (soccer): Football is by far the most popular sport in Argentina. The Argentine national football team is one of the most successful teams in the world, having won the FIFA World Cup three times.
• Rugby union: Rugby union is another popular sport in Argentina. The Argentine national rugby union team, also known as the Pumas, is one of the best teams in the world.
• Basketball: Basketball is also a popular sport in Argentina. The Argentine national basketball team has won the FIBA World Championship once and the FIBA AmeriCup seven times.
• Tennis: Tennis is another popular sport in Argentina. Argentina has produced some of the best tennis players in the world, including Guillermo Vilas, Gabriela Sabatini, and Juan Martín del Potro.

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