Argentina – Pato and not Football

Have you ever heard of the sport called Pato? Well, if your answer is no, then both of us were in the same boat. I’ve recently learned that this sport and not football is the National Sport of Argentina. In 1952, Juan Domingo Peron, the President, proclaimed this sport as the nation’s sport.

The Spanish word Pato, when translated into English, is a duck. Years ago, a duck was placed inside a “basket,” with handles, and passed from teammates to teammates, who were riding on horses. The teams scored by throwing the basket with the duck into a high net. 

However, an encased ball in a “net” replaces the duck and basket.

Although the sport is not as popular as football, a few minutes of looking at a game on YouTube is more than enough to see why it is Argentina’s National Sport. Check it out and let me know what you think. Thanks.

Note:

http://www.argentinaindependent.com/life-style/pato-argentinas-national-sport/