Sport in Burkina Faso
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Sport in Burkina Faso is widespread and includes football, basketball, baseball, cycling, rugby union, handball, tennis, athletics, boxing, and martial arts.[1][2]
Football
Football is very popular in Burkina Faso, played both professionally and informally in towns and villages across the country.
Basketball
Basketball is one of the top sports in Burkina Faso for both men and women. Its
Baseball
The sports of Baseball and Softball are becoming extremely popular in Burkina Faso. Fédération Burkinabè de Baseball et de Softball – FBBS is the controlling body. Baseball Burkina Faso is ranked 4th in Africa following the 2019 Baseball Africa Cup. Burkina Faso's Sanfo Lassina plays professional baseball for the
Rugby union
Rugby union, or just rugby, in Burkina Faso is relatively new, but growing more popular every year. Rugby was introduced by the French, who had ruled Burkina Faso, or Upper Volta, as it was known at the time, for many years. Rugby in Burkina Faso is, like many other nations in Africa, centered around the capital, Ouagadougou.[citation needed]
Cycling
Cycling is widespread both as a sport and as a cheap means of transport.
Olympic Games
Burkina Faso has sent athletes to every Summer Olympic Games held since 1988. Under its previous name of Upper Volta, the country also competed in 1972. Hugues Fabrice Zango won Burkina Faso's first ever Olympic medal when he won bronze in the men's triple jump at the 2020 Summer Olympics. No athletes from Burkina Faso have competed in any Winter Olympic Games.[citation needed]
References
Sources
- Gleeson, Mark (2001-02-23). "Thinking small brings big rewards". BBC. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
- Marchais, Julien (2006). Burkina Faso (in French). Petit Futé. ISBN 2-7469-1601-0.
- "Sport in Burkina Faso". Cool Planet. Oxfam. Archived from the original on 2008-06-30. Retrieved 2008-07-01.