| Part ofa series on the |
| Culture of Burkina Faso |
|---|
 |
| People |
| Languages |
| Cuisine |
| Religion |
| Art |
| Literature |
| Music |
| Sport |
Monuments |
Sport in Burkina Faso is widespread and includesfootball,basketball,baseball,cycling,rugby union,handball,tennis,athletics,boxing, andmartial arts.[1][2]
Football is very popular in Burkina Faso, played both professionally and informally in towns and villages across the country.[1] Thenational team is nicknamed "Les Etalons" ("the Stallions") in reference to the legendary horse of PrincessYennenga.[1] In 1998, Burkina Faso hosted theAfrican Cup of Nations for which theOmnisport Stadium inBobo-Dioulasso was built.[1][3]
Basketball is one of the top sports in Burkina Faso for both men and women. Itsnational team had its best year in 2013 when it qualified for theAfroBasket, the continent's most prestigious basketball event.[citation needed]
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 theKochi Fighting Dogs in the Japanese professional league.
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, orUpper 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 is widespread both as a sport and as a cheap means of transport.[1] TheTour du Faso, approved by theFédération internationale de cyclisme, is a cycling event held annually in November that covers 1,305 kilometres (811 mi). Thestage race takes place at temperatures up to 40 °C.[1] It has been part of theUCI Africa Tour since 2005.[citation needed]
Burkina Faso has sent athletes to everySummer Olympic Games held since 1988. Under its previous name ofUpper Volta, the country also competed in1972.Hugues Fabrice Zango won Burkina Faso's first ever Olympic medal when he won bronze in themen's triple jump at the2020 Summer Olympics. No athletes from Burkina Faso have competed in anyWinter Olympic Games.[citation needed]
| Summer Olympic Sports |
| |
|---|---|---|
| Winter Olympic Sports |
| |
| Other IOC Recognised Sports |
| |
| Paralympics and Disabled Sports | ||
| Others Sports |
| |