Questions and Answers
What is the national sport of Argentina?
pato
What does 'pato' mean in Spanish?
duck
Pato is a combination of polo and basketball.
True
How many players are on each pato team?
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How many horses does each pato team have?
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What is the goal of the game of pato?
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Players can use both hands to handle the pato.
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How long is a typical pato match?
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How long is a pato field compared to a soccer field?
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In the 1600s, pato was invented by Argentine __________.
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Why was pato banned at certain times throughout its history?
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When was the first ban of pato instituted?
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In the 1930s, the rules of pato were __________.
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Pato is considered the safest sport in Argentina.
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What do supporters of soccer in Argentina want in terms of sports classification?
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Pato has more players than soccer in Argentina today.
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What is said about the players' passion for pato?
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Where can you check out a pato match if you visit Argentina?
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Study Notes
Argentina's National Sport: Pato
- Soccer is often mistakenly thought to be Argentina's national sport; however, the title belongs to pato.
- Pato combines elements of polo and basketball, showcasing its unique and entertaining qualities.
Origin of the Name
- "Pato" translates to "duck" in Spanish; historically, the game involved a live duck carried in a leather basket.
Modern Gameplay
- Current pato matches feature a leather ball resembling a volleyball, equipped with six handles, also called a pato.
- Each team consists of four players mounted on horseback.
- Teams have access to eight horses, allowing for resting intervals during the match.
Objective and Rules
- The aim is to score points by throwing the ball through a tall, butterfly-net shaped goal.
- Players can only handle the pato ball with their right hand.
- Matches are divided into six periods, each lasting eight minutes, with four-minute breaks between them.
Field Dimensions
- Pato fields measure about 600 feet long and 290 feet wide, significantly larger than soccer fields.
Historical Background
- The game was invented by Argentine cowboys, or gauchos, in the 17th century.
- Competitions began at property boundaries among horsemen from neighboring ranches.
- The sport faced bans from clergy and politicians due to its violent nature, with the first ban occurring in 1739.
Challenges and Revival
- Despite the violence associated with the game, pato experienced a revival in the 1930s with clearer rules established.
- Argentine President Juan Peron officially declared pato the national sport in 1953.
Safety and Violence
- Pato is fast-paced, making it challenging for players, often resulting in falls from horses and injuries.
- Historically, rivalries sometimes erupted into violence, notably involving knife fights over disputes on rules.
Current Context
- Soccer remains more popular than pato in Argentina, yet advocates argue that pato is a genuine Argentine tradition.
- Some support pato through dedicated Facebook pages, despite complaints about its cost compared to soccer.
petitions and Controversies
- Over 140,000 individuals signed a petition advocating for soccer to be recognized as the official national sport, seeking to reclassify pato as a "national traditional sport."
Legacy
- While pato struggles with modern popularity, it retains status as Argentina's official national sport and boasts a dedicated following.
- Passionate supporters continue to promote and preserve the game, showcasing its cultural significance in Argentina.
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Description
Explore the unique sport of pato, Argentina's real national sport, often overshadowed by soccer. Discover its fascinating blend of polo and basketball, and delve into its rich history and cultural significance. This quiz will expand your knowledge of pato and its place in Argentine sports.
