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OPINION: Oluwo Holier Than The Godless Ilorin Imam (2)

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Tunde Odesola

It’s my third day in the serene city of Ilorin, where no fly has perched on my gleamy spacecraft, nor has anyone come near to vandalise it. What curious onlookers have done is to stand in awe at a distance and fantasise – ‘oh, what a steely capsule of gravity-defying engineering!’ If it were in some notorious cities, a blue whale washed ashore would take more hours to be stripped to the bone than for my spacecraft to be dismembered by itinerant metal scavengers. Though the cloud of insecurity hovers above the whole country, the sky is darker in some states than others. In Ilorin, my spacecraft was unscratched for three unguarded nights.

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I’m still in the Oke-Kudu area of Ilorin, where I have come to see the chest-thumping Magaji of Oke-Kudu, who claimed in a viral video that he made a Canadian female witness, Loranie, go mad so that then-prince Abdulrasheed Akanbi, now the Oluwo of Iwo, could be let off the hook in a criminal case in Toronto, Canada, many years ago. This lord of Oke-Kudu said he prayed to his god (certainly not Allah) to throw a spanner into Loranie’s brain, and his god did, Magaji noted with aplomb.

To believe the Magaji is to believe the old wives’ tale of the tiger giving birth in the forest whenever the rain pours down its water and the sun radiates its fire, simultaneously. Before human feet began to trample on the eyes of the earth, Yoruba forebears evolved a proverb. It says, “If the wicked pleads his case before a court, it is not the wicked who will sit in judgment over the case.” As the Magaji has stated his case against the Oluwo, and the world awaits a response from the monarch, I’ll offer Akanbi some sincere advice – free of charge. He should sue the Magaji and be ready to prove his innocence in court. To go online and threaten some imaginary persons for defamation is not regal; the Oluwo should walk the talk by dragging the Magaji to court and scapegoat him.

I make this charge because only yesterday, another viral video of the Oluwo surfaced, in which he threatened to ensure that anyone who defames him goes to jail. I implore Oba Akanbi to make good his threat by making an example of the Magaji.

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Meanwhile, while the masses await Oluwo’s proof of innocence, which I think may never come, the Magaji should be made to boil in the broth of his egotism and lies. Nothing better describes evil than an Islamic cleric, who boastfully affirms in a viral video that God heard his prayer to make an innocent Canadian go mad for a criminal suspect to be freed.

There is a proverb that stands on two legs instead of three. It is: ‘Speech is silver, silence is golden’. The third leg should be ‘Not always’. Akanbi should not remain silent in the face of the weighty criminal allegations levelled by Magaji, his erstwhile associate. The Oluwo should redeem his reputation.

Though I respect Islam and its adherents, many of whom are my friends, I do not believe the Magaji has any spiritual powers at all, let alone the power to make anyone go mad. If he does have such a power, I dare him to make me go mad! I dare him to count the beads of his ‘tesbih’ one million times, chant ‘yasin’, ‘yasin’, two million times, and do 100 ablutions on Mount Arafat, a hair on my body won’t fall off.

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MORE FROM THE AUTHOR:OPINION: Oluwo Holier Than The Godless Ilorin Imam (1)

However, if some Muslim faithful anywhere believe that certain Islamic clerics can use the Holy Quran to invoke God to do injustice, then it is apposite to conclude that such Muslims are ignorant of who Allah truly is. Allah is love. So, to clear the air and sustain belief among the Muslim laity, prominent Islamic bodies should denounce the teaching and example of Mgaji Oke-Kudu. This is the juncture where the League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland, Edo, and Delta states needs to speak up against the Magaji and his misleading ilk who speak ill of Islam. This is the junction where Islamic activists such as Ishaq Akintola of Muslim Rights Concern should condemn the blatant claims of the Magaji. To keep quiet and turn a deaf ear to the blasphemy oozing from Ilorin is to confirm Magaji’s claim that Allah is manipulable. Allah should not be disfigured by charlatans while Nigerian Islamdom watches and keeps silent. The reach of the mouth is farther than the reach of the foot; ‘ibi ti enu de, ese o de be’. Talk is potent.

The potency of talk came to the fore in Otu, an Oyo town, once upon a time. A foremost custodian of African history, culture and tradition, Prof Wande Abimbola, told me a certain man built his house on the slope of a hill. “Ha! Who built a house along a hill? “Eh, whose house is this?” Yeepa, ta lo ko ile si ara oke?” Tongues wagged. But the house stood its ground.

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However, the awuyewuye talk did not cease; it grew in intensity. “Did this man not see a plain ground to build his house?” “Why did he choose a slope to build his house? “What is wrong with some people, sef?” Is he blind?” “Ha, people don’t fear o!” “This is a wrong place to build a house nah.” “If he wants to die, he should die alone. Why does he want to take his wives and children along with him?” “Some people are just wicked.”

Then, one day, the house collapsed, and the Olúbòbòtiribò story emerged from Otu, thus. The Olúbòbòtiribò story has a song. This is how it goes, “Omo kekere enu lebo o; enu lebo. Agbalagba enu lebo o, enu lebo, Olúbòbòtiribò, awo enu,” meaning: “Children, the mouth is a sacrifice. Adults, the mouth is a sacrifice, Olúbòbòtiribò, the disciple of the mouth.”

Today, in Ile-Ife, the Olúbòbòtiribò myth has grown to be deified in deference to the potency of the spoken word, says Abimbola. Many musicians, such as the plane-stopping Wasiu Ayinde, had made a song about Olúbòbòtiribò awo enu. And, I wonder why a musician who knows how the tongue can engender reputational ruin could engage in an embarrassing public display unbefitting of his age, position and commonsense. Iru kileyi, Omo Anifowose?

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This is the time for self-check, Baba Sultan. While you blocked the Value Jet plane from taking off at the Abuja airport, I heard you say in the viral video, “Je a ma ja lo; let’s continue fighting.” At 68 years of age, you should bridle your actions and mouth, o ye ki e ko ara yin ni ijanu, boda Wasiu. That tarmac display was very shameful. Watching an online video recently, I was shocked when the Lagos State Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers, Alhaji Mustapha Adekunle, aka Sego, punished an NUTRW member who maltreated a female commercial driver. Alhaji Wasiu, if you stand in the way of my spacecraft as I make to leave Ilorin now for Iwo, I will use you to ‘ko bodi’ into space.

Moving away from that yeye on the tarmac, I return to my exploration in earnest. After spending three days in Ikoro-Ekiti and three days in Ilorin, I plan to spend just one day in Iwo, where I am about to head now. Iwo is no less a town than Ikoro-Ekiti or Ilorin, but a day is enough for the assignment at hand because my guest, the Oluwo, is a very busy oba; busy hoisting Islam over Yoruba tradition and culture. I think I’ve done half of the Iwo job by charging Akanbi to man up and challenge to court the Magaji.

MORE FROM THE AUTHOR: OPINION: Again, Buhari Nails Femi Adesina To The Cross

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The lift off from Ilorin was great. Within the blink of an eye, Iwo came into aerial focus. Iwo, my Iwo! Iwo Olodo Oba, Iwo Atenigbola, Ateni Gbare! Iwo holds a special place in my heart because I have more friends and mentors in it than in Ikoro-Ekiti and Ilorin combined.

My spacecraft splashed down gently into the Oba River in Iwo, and indigenes came rushing to see the alloy wonder and its Igbajo astronaut. I smiled and waved teeming crowd.

Oba Akanbi, long may you reign! Long may the crown remain on our head, long may the king’s horse eat the fodder, may thy horsetail become a needle, kabiyesi. Àse!

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Kabiyesi, I can hear grumblings in the land. No sooner had I landed than I sighted a letter by an Iwo-based association, the Mogajis and Forum of Iwo Princes, seeking an official meeting with Osun State Governor, Asiwaju Ademola Adeleke, over some “issues of urgent public concern which had for quite some time loomed as worrying and warning signals to possible breach of peace in Iwoland”.

The letter addressed to the governor reads further, “It is on the basis of the above that we intend to get an audience with you at your earliest convenience. These issues, painful as they are to report, having exhausted all humanly reasonable internal interventional mechanisms, without results, are to be discussed at the meeting being proposed.”

Signed by its chairman, Alhaji Fatai Owokoniran, and secretary, Prince Saheed Ganiyu, the letter, whose receipt was acknowledged by the Governor’s Office, Osun State, on July 4, 2025, expressed confidence in the governor’s ability in conflict resolution.

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A recent viral video by Prince Lawuyi and Prince Abimbola Alade suggested why the forum of Iwo princes wrote to Governor Adeleke. In the video viewed on online TV, Atopinpin, the two octogenarian princes faulted Oluwo’s preference to be called Alaafin of Iwo, instead of the Oluwo of Iwo title borne by his ancestors. Also, the princes said it was wrong for Oluwo to charge princes money for traditional titles, a development they said was strange to Iwo.

Although I am not from Iwo, I believe I can offer some sincere advice to the Oluwo and Iwo people. Everyone knows the Oluwo is no stranger to controversy, but when a king is about to clock 10 years on the throne, he should be dignified in speech and conduct. As the king looks forward to another decade, I pray that his corpses of fraud and imprisonment in the US would be buried for good. However, for people not to refer to those embarrassing cases, the Oluwo must learn to be royal and less controversial.

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But if the Oluwo refuses to change in the coming days, the people of Iwo should call on ‘oluganbe’, the potent leaf the Yoruba use for curing sobia – the guineaworm. No king is more powerful than his people.

My assignment is done in Iwo. But before I leave for my Igbajo Iloro abode, I need to etch the Ikoro-Ekiti myth of Onikoro Mèbí, Àgbìgbònìwònràn and the Queen in a riddle for the wise to solve.

Who typifies the Oluwo, the Magaji, and the queen in this exploration story?

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For reminders, the Àgbìgbònìwònràn, who should be a change agent, ended up needing change himself as he worsened the situation he met on the ground. Onikoro Mèbí was arrogant and beastly, killing with impunity. I will unscrew the riddle of the queen: the queen typifies the government, and the kingmakers who enthrone misfits as princes. I will leave you to figure out who typifies Àgbìgbònìwònràn and who typifies Onikoro Mèbí? Goodbye, Oluwo; goodbye, Magaji.

* Concluded.

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Her Fight Is Ours, Sowore Vows Justice For Corps Member Denied Certificate

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Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has condemned what he described as a gross injustice against National Youth Service Corps member, Rita Uguamaye, popularly known as Raye, after she was denied her final discharge certificate last Thursday.

In a post via his X official handle on Saturday, the publisher of Sahara Reporters promised to get justice for the former corps member.

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We had promised to fight for her justice, and that promise remains unbroken,” he wrote.

Sowore hailed Raye’s resilience, crediting her outspoken activism for a significant win for corps members.

It was Raye’s courage that pushed the authorities to raise the allowance for her colleagues.

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READ ALSO:Sowore Regains Freedom, Says Detention ‘Illegal

“We will not abandon her. Her fight is our fight,” he added.

Recall that the NYSC extended Raye’s service year by two months after her viral video in March, in which she criticised the present administration.

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She alleged that NYSC officials had threatened her to delete the video.

Civil rights groups condemned the development, accusing the NYSC of trying to silence dissent.

Following the video, the NYSC Local Government Inspector in Eti-Osa summoned her to appear at the local office.

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READ ALSO:Why Sowore Is Being Detained – Police

When Raye arrived with Sowore and her lawyers, the official who issued the summons was absent.

The matter resurfaced on June 18, when Raye was again summoned to appear before a disciplinary panel at the Iyana Ipaja NYSC orientation camp in Lagos.

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After a series of delays, she was informed that her service year had been extended as punishment — a move that ultimately blocked her from receiving her discharge certificate on schedule.

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Ex-minister, Audu Ogbeh Is Dead

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Former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, has passed away at the age of 78. He died on Saturday.

A statement by the Ogbeh family on Saturday said the elder statesman died peacefully on Saturday.

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“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather; Chief Audu Ogbeh.

“He passed away on the 9th of August 2025 at the fulfilled age of 78,” the statement read.

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The family described Ogbeh as a man who “departed peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of integrity, service, and dedication to our nation and community.”

We are comforted by the many lives he touched and the example he set,” the statement added.

The family stated that funeral details would be announced in due course and expressed appreciation to friends, colleagues, and well-wishers for their prayers and support.

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“We will appreciate some privacy at this time while we mourn the loss of our patriarch,” the statement read.

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15 Most Popular Sports In The World

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This comprehensive guide explores the 15 most popular sports in the world, examining their global appeal, rich histories, and the reasons millions—sometimes billions—of fans follow them devotedly. Whether you’re a dedicated sports enthusiast or simply curious about global pastimes, join us as we count down the activities that capture hearts and minds across our planet.

Contents
What are The Most Popular Sports in The World
1. Scuba Diving
2. Football / Soccer
3. Cricket
4. Basketball
5. Hockey
6. Tennis
7. Volleyball
8. Table Tennis
9. Baseball
10. Rugby
11. Golf
12. American Football
13. Boxing
14. Badminton
15. Fun Diving
Final Thoughts
What are The Most Popular Sports in The World
The rankings below are based on estimated worldwide fan bases, international federation data, and global viewership statistics for major tournaments.

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Rank Sport Estimated Fans Major Regions Key Tournaments

1 Football/Soccer 3.5 Billion Europe, Africa, Asia, Americas FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League

2 Cricket 2.5 Billion India, Pakistan, UK, Australia, Caribbean ICC Cricket World Cup, IPL

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3 Basketball 2.2 Billion North America, Europe, China, Philippines NBA Finals, FIBA World Cup

4 Hockey 2 Billion India, Europe, Australia (Field); Canada, USA, Russia (Ice) Hockey World Cup, Stanley Cup

5 Tennis 1 Billion Worldwide Grand Slams, ATP/WTA Finals

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6 Volleyball 900 Million Europe, Brazil, Asia, USA FIVB World Championship, Olympics

7 Table Tennis 850 Million China, East Asia, Europe World Table Tennis Championships

8 Baseball 500 Million USA, Japan, Caribbean, South Korea World Series, World Baseball Classic

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9 Rugby 475 Million UK, France, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia Rugby World Cup, Six Nations

10 Golf 450 Million USA, UK, Japan, Australia, Europe The Masters, The Open Championship

11 American Football 400 Million USA, Canada, Growing Internationally Super Bowl, College Football Playoff

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12 Boxing 350 Million USA, UK, Mexico, Philippines, Japan Championship Bouts, Olympics

13 Badminton 220 Million Asia, Europe BWF World Championships, Olympics

14 Scuba Diving 25 Million Caribbean, Southeast Asia, Australia Underwater Photography Competitions

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15 Fun Diving 20 Million Southeast Asia, Caribbean, Mediterranean Recreational Diving Events

Now, let’s explore each of these sports in detail, examining what makes them so captivating to billions of fans worldwide.

1. Scuba Diving

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Although scuba diving doesn’t actually rank among the most popular sports in the world, it is one of the most enjoyable sports because in addition to exercise, we can enjoy the endless beauty of the underwater world. Divers can find a variety of unique, funny, and even astonishing sea creatures.

The modern sport evolved from early underwater breathing apparatus developed in the 1940s. French naval officer Jacques Cousteau and engineer Émile Gagnan created the Aqua-Lung in 1943, the first open-circuit scuba system that gained widespread use. This innovation made underwater exploration accessible beyond military and commercial applications, launching recreational diving as we know it today.

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Located southeast of Bali, Nusa Penida has emerged as one of the world’s premier diving destinations. The island’s surrounding waters feature dramatic underwater topography, powerful currents that attract large pelagic species, and some of the most biodiverse reef systems in the Coral Triangle.

Divers who scuba diving in nusa penida can encounter magnificent manta rays at cleaning stations, swim alongside the bizarre ocean sunfish (mola mola), and explore vibrant coral gardens teeming with tropical species. The area’s protected marine status has helped preserve these underwater treasures for future generations of diving enthusiasts.

2. Football / Soccer

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Football—or soccer as it’s known in the United States—stands unchallenged as the world’s most popular sport with an estimated 3.5 billion fans globally.

The sport’s origins date back thousands of years, with early forms played in ancient China, Greece, and Rome. Modern football took shape in England during the 19th century, when standardized rules were established. Today, the sport is governed by FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association), which oversees international competitions including the FIFA World Cup—the most-watched sporting event on the planet.

3. Cricket

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Cricket stands as the second most popular sport globally with an estimated 2.5 billion fans, though its distribution is notably concentrated. The sport enjoys passionate followings across the Indian subcontinent, Australia, England, South Africa, the West Indies, and New Zealand—many former British colonies where the game was introduced during the imperial era.

The game is played between two teams of eleven players on an oval field, with a rectangular 22-yard pitch at the center. The batting team attempts to score runs while the fielding team tries to dismiss the batters and limit scoring.

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Cricket’s massive popularity is largely driven by its status in India, where it transcends sport to become a cultural phenomenon. With a population of nearly 1.4 billion, India’s cricket obsession significantly boosts global viewership figures. The Indian Premier League (IPL), launched in 2008, revolutionized the sport with its combination of cricket, entertainment, and commercial success.

4. Basketball

Basketball has experienced explosive growth in recent decades, cementing its position as the world’s third most popular sport with approximately 2.2 billion fans. Unlike many traditional sports with ancient origins, basketball has a precisely documented birth: it was invented in 1891 by Canadian physical education instructor James Naismith in Springfield, Massachusetts.

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The National Basketball Association (NBA) stands as the premier basketball league, featuring the world’s top talent and generating billions in revenue annually. NBA stars like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry have become global icons, transcending the sport through endorsements and cultural impact.

International basketball has flourished under FIBA (International Basketball Federation), with the FIBA Basketball World Cup and Olympic basketball tournaments drawing massive global audiences. The sport’s inclusion in the Olympics since 1936 has further boosted its worldwide appeal.

5. Hockey

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Hockey ranks fifth globally with approximately 2 billion fans when combining both field hockey and ice hockey variants. This figure represents the combined following of two distinct sports that share a name and basic concept but differ significantly in playing surface, equipment, and culture.

Field hockey is the older form, with origins dating back thousands of years. Ancient civilizations in Egypt, Persia, and Greece played games involving sticks and balls, with evidence of similar activities in ancient China and the Americas. Modern field hockey developed in England during the 19th century and spread throughout the British Empire, gaining particular popularity in India, Pakistan, Australia, and parts of Africa.

Ice hockey evolved in Canada during the 19th century, with the first recorded indoor game played in Montreal in 1875. The sport spread throughout cold-weather regions and gained professional structure with the formation of the National Hockey League (NHL) in 1917. Today, ice hockey enjoys massive popularity in Canada, Russia, the United States, and Northern European countries.

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6. Tennis

Tennis ranks sixth among global sports with approximately 1 billion fans worldwide. This racket sport has achieved truly international appeal, with major tournaments and stars from every continent. Tennis combines individual skill, strategy, and athleticism in a format that’s easily understood yet endlessly complex in its execution.

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The modern game evolved from various racket-and-ball games played in France during the 12th century. By the late 19th century, lawn tennis had developed into the sport we recognize today. The establishment of the four Grand Slam tournaments—the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open—created the pinnacle events that continue to define tennis excellence.

Tennis is played on various surfaces (grass, clay, hard court), each affecting gameplay and favoring different playing styles. This variety has contributed to the sport’s rich history of rivalries and specialists. The scoring system—using points, games, and sets—adds dramatic tension as momentum can shift rapidly throughout a match.

7. Volleyball

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Volleyball ranks seventh among the world’s most popular sports with approximately 900 million fans globally. This team sport, played on both indoor courts and beaches, has gained tremendous popularity due to its fast-paced action, accessibility, and the minimal equipment required to play.

Invented in 1895 by William G. Morgan in Massachusetts, USA, volleyball was originally called “mintonette” and designed as a less physically demanding alternative to basketball. The sport quickly spread internationally and was included in the Olympic Games in 1964, further boosting its global profile.

Standard volleyball is played by two teams of six players separated by a net. Players use their hands to hit a ball over the net, aiming to ground it on the opponent’s side while preventing it from touching their own court. The sport demands quick reflexes, coordination, and teamwork, making it both challenging and exciting to play and watch.

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8. Table Tennis

Table tennis ranks eighth globally with approximately 850 million fans. Often called ping pong recreationally, this fast-paced indoor sport combines lightning-quick reflexes, precise technique, and tactical thinking in compact, intense matches that can be played almost anywhere a table fits.

The sport originated in Victorian England during the 1880s as an after-dinner parlor game among the upper class. Initially played with improvised equipment like books for paddles and champagne corks for balls, table tennis evolved into a standardized sport by the early 20th century. The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) was founded in 1926, and the first World Championships were held the same year.

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Table tennis balls can travel at speeds exceeding 100 kilometers per hour (60 mph) during professional matches, with top players executing shots that spin at up to 9,000 rotations per minute—making it one of the fastest reaction-time sports in the world.

China has dominated international table tennis for decades, winning 32 of 37 possible Olympic gold medals since the sport’s inclusion in 1988. This dominance has shaped the sport’s global profile, with Chinese players becoming international stars and influencing playing styles worldwide. Other strong table tennis nations include Japan, South Korea, Germany, and Sweden.

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9. Baseball

Baseball ranks ninth globally with approximately 500 million fans worldwide. Though often considered quintessentially American, the sport has developed passionate followings in parts of Latin America, the Caribbean, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, creating a significant international presence.

The origins of baseball are debated, but the modern game developed in the United States during the mid-19th century. The first professional baseball team, the Cincinnati Red Stockings, was established in 1869, and the sport quickly grew in popularity across America. Major League Baseball (MLB), formed in 1903, remains the premier baseball league globally.

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Baseball is played between two teams of nine players who alternate between batting and fielding. The objective is to score runs by hitting a ball thrown by the pitcher and then running around a series of four bases. The game combines individual performance with team strategy, creating a unique rhythm that fans describe as both relaxing and intensely dramatic.

10. Rugby

Rugby ranks tenth globally with approximately 475 million fans. This physically demanding sport combines strategic team play with raw athleticism and has developed passionate followings across Europe, Oceania, South Africa, and increasingly in South America and Japan.

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The sport originated at Rugby School in England in 1823, according to legend, when William Webb Ellis picked up the ball during a football match and ran with it. Rugby split into two distinct codes in 1895: Rugby Union and Rugby League, each with different rules and structures. Rugby Union, with 15 players per side, is the more widely played version globally, while Rugby League, with 13 players, has strong followings in Australia, England, and New Zealand.

Rugby is played on a rectangular field with H-shaped goalposts at each end. Teams score points by carrying, passing, or kicking an oval ball across the opponent’s goal line (a try) or kicking it through the goalposts (conversions, penalties, or drop goals). The sport is known for its continuous play, physical tackles without protective padding, and the distinctive set pieces of scrums and lineouts.

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11. Golf

Golf ranks eleventh among global sports with approximately 450 million fans worldwide. This precision sport combines technical skill, mental fortitude, and strategic thinking in a unique format that can be enjoyed competitively or recreationally across a lifetime.

Modern golf developed in Scotland during the 15th century, though similar games had been played earlier in continental Europe and China. The sport spread globally during the British Empire, establishing deep roots in countries like the United States, Australia, Japan, and South Africa. Today, golf is played on six continents with courses adapted to diverse environments from desert landscapes to tropical settings.

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The objective in golf is deceptively simple: complete a set course in the fewest number of strokes. Players use various clubs to hit a small ball into a series of holes on a course, navigating hazards like sand bunkers, water, and rough terrain. A standard course consists of 18 holes, though 9-hole courses are common for casual play.

12. American Football

American football ranks twelfth globally with approximately 400 million fans. Though primarily popular in the United States, the sport has developed growing international followings and continues efforts to expand its global footprint beyond North America.

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The sport evolved from rugby in the late 19th century, with intercollegiate games beginning in the 1870s. Walter Camp, often called the “Father of American Football,” implemented rule changes that transformed the game into its modern form. The National Football League (NFL), founded in 1920, has grown into one of the world’s most profitable sports leagues, with franchises valued in the billions of dollars.

American football is played between two teams of eleven players on a rectangular field with goalposts at each end. The objective is to advance an oval ball into the opponent’s end zone to score touchdowns or kick the ball through the opponent’s goalposts for field goals. The game combines raw physicality with complex strategy, often compared to “chess with collisions.”

13. Boxing

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Boxing ranks thirteenth globally with approximately 350 million fans. This combat sport, often called “the sweet science,” combines raw athleticism with tactical sophistication and has produced some of sports’ most iconic figures and memorable moments.

Boxing’s origins date back thousands of years, with depictions found in ancient Sumerian, Egyptian, and Greek civilizations. The sport was included in the ancient Olympic Games as early as 688 BCE. Modern boxing developed in England during the 17th and 18th centuries, with the Marquess of Queensberry Rules established in 1867 providing the foundation for contemporary boxing regulations.

READ ALSO:Mourners Pay Respect For 27-year-old Ukrainian Journalist Who Died In Russian Captivity

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The 2015 welterweight championship fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao generated over $600 million in revenue, making it the highest-grossing combat sports event in history. The match, dubbed “The Fight of the Century,” was purchased by 4.6 million households on pay-per-view despite ticket prices averaging $4,000 for standard seats.

14. Badminton

Badminton ranks fourteenth globally with approximately 220 million fans. This lightning-fast racket sport combines explosive athleticism with technical precision and strategic depth, particularly popular across Asia and parts of Europe.

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The modern game developed from an older game called “battledore and shuttlecock” played in ancient Greece, China, and India. British military officers stationed in India during the mid-19th century brought the game back to England, where it was played at the Duke of Beaufort’s country house called “Badminton” in Gloucestershire—giving the sport its name. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) was founded in 1934, and the sport made its Olympic debut in 1992.

Badminton is played on a rectangular court divided by a net. Players use lightweight rackets to hit a shuttlecock (also called a “birdie”) back and forth, scoring points when the shuttlecock lands in the opponent’s half of the court. The sport can be played in singles (one player per side) or doubles (two players per side) formats.

15. Fun Diving

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Fun diving ranks fifteenth among global sports with approximately 20 million enthusiasts. Unlike competitive diving disciplines, fun diving emphasizes recreational enjoyment, exploration, and the social aspects of underwater discovery without the pressure of competition or performance metrics.

Fun diving differs from technical or competitive diving in its relaxed approach and focus on enjoyment rather than achieving specific depths, times, or technical challenges. Participants typically dive in groups led by local guides who showcase underwater highlights while ensuring safety protocols are followed.

For those looking to take their diving passion to the next level, professional certification programs offer pathways to careers in the diving industry. The Instructor Development Course (IDC) represents a significant step in this journey, providing comprehensive training in dive theory, teaching methodologies, and safety management.

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Nusa Penida has become a premier destination for professional development, with several facilities offering IDC in nusa penida programs. These courses leverage the area’s diverse diving conditions—from gentle bays to challenging current dives—to create well-rounded instructors capable of teaching in various environments worldwide.

Final Thoughts

The world’s most popular sports reflect our shared human experiences across cultures and borders. From the universal simplicity of football that requires just a ball and open space to the specialized equipment of scuba diving that opens underwater worlds, these activities connect us through common passions and experiences.

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What makes these sports endure goes beyond mere entertainment. They serve as cultural touchstones, economic engines, and sources of national pride. Major sporting events like the FIFA World Cup, Olympics, and Cricket World Cup transcend their athletic competitions to become global cultural phenomena that unite billions in shared experience.

Whether you’re a dedicated fan of a single sport or an enthusiast who appreciates many, the diversity of popular sports offers something for everyone. From team-based competitions that celebrate collective achievement to individual pursuits that showcase personal excellence, sports continue to inspire, unite, and captivate people worldwide.
(TRIBUNE)

 

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