Tag: World Sports

Monaco stamp showing Calcio Storico Fiorentino

June 25, 2023November 1, 2023

Calcio Storico Fiorentino 2023

Calcio Storico Fiorentino Logo [References: 1]

Results

Calcio Storico Fiorentino 2023


Match Day Semifinale
June 10, 2023 (Semifinale) 7 - 3 Calcio Storico Fiorentino Piazza Santa Croce, Florence N/A Azzurri di Santa Croce vs Bianchi di Santo Spirito
June 11, 2023 (Semifinale) 7½ - 2 Calcio Storico Fiorentino Piazza Santa Croce, Florence N/A Rossi di Santa Maria Novella vs Verdi di San Giovanni
Match Day Finale
June 23, 2023 (Finale) 9 - 2 Calcio Storico Fiorentino Piazza Santa Croce, Florence N/A Rossi di Santa Maria Novella vs Azzurri di Santa Croce

Scores compiled from results reported on Calcio Storico Fiorentino Official Facebook Page. Please vist the Calcio Storico Fiorentino Facebook Page for Official Results as well as videos of the matches. [References: 2-4]

Report

Rossi di Santa Maria Novella triumphed 9-2 versus Azzurri di Santa Croce in the Final of Calcio Storico Fiorentino (Florentine Football in Costune). Rossi had earlier defeated Verdi di San Giovanni 7½-2 and Azzurri had despatched Bianchi di Santo Spirito 7-3 in the Semi-Finals. The victory was Rossi’s first since 2019 in the competition, played since the Renaissance in the Italian Tuscan city of Florence.

TEAMS

Team	Translation
Azzurri di Santa Croce	Blues
Bianchi di Santo Spirito	Whites
Rossi di Santa Maria Novella	Reds
Verdi di San Giovanni	Greens

Teams 1952-Present [Reference: 2-3]

Azzurri v Bianchi 2012

Florence – jun 24 fighting players during calcio fiorentino match on june, 24,2012 calcio fiorentino calcio storico or calcio in costume is an historic florentine game, origins of modern football. Copyright: mkistryn [Internet] Available from: https://www.123rf.com/photo_26115132_florence-jun-24-fighting-players-during-calcio-fiorentino-match-on-june-24-2012-calcio-fiorentino-ca.html [Accessed 25 June 2022]

ABOUT

Calcio Storico Fiorentino has been played in Florence, Tuscany since the Renaissance. The first organised match took place on February 17, 1530. It was revived in the 20th Century, first under the 1930s government of Mussolini, and then again after World War II in the Italian Republic. Earlier matches dating back to the 1400s mention games played in breaks between work by workers [Reference: 2-5]

The matches usually take place during the June Festival period, with four teams, Azzurri, Bianchi, Rossi and Verdi (Blues, Whites, Reds and Greens) representing the four quarters of the city of Florence. The match is played between 54 players – two teams of 27 – with teams reversing ends after each score. It is played on sand in the Plaza. There are usually a Semi-Finals and Final. Half Points are scored, and teams play in traditional dress. [References: 4-5]

The game play features the 27 players playing on a rectangular field of sand, measuring 80 metres by 40 metres. Nets at each end of the field span the entire width of the field. The aim is to score more goals than the opponent. Each team consists of 4 Goalkeepers, 3 fullbacks, 5 halfbacks and 15 forwards. There are little or no rules to the game. Players can punch, kick, wrestle or headbut their opponents, but cannot kick to the head and more than one player cannot attack another player at any one time. There are no substitutes and if your team has a player ejected or injured they are down a man. [References: 10]

Players are volunteers and the strategy of the forwards is to incapacitate or injure the opposing team while the halfbacks and fullbacks try to run with the ball through to other endbefore trying to score. Cacce (Goals) are scored by throwing or kicking the ball into the opposing teams net. If the ball goes over the net a half-cacce (half-goal) is scored for the opponent [References: 10]. The Rules were first described by Giovanni de’Bardi (a Florentine count) in 1580 and the draw for the semi-finals is made on Easter Sunday by drawing four different coloured balls. [Reference: 11]

Stamp from Monaco depicting Calcio Fiorentino

[11] MONACO – CIRCA 1963: A stamp printed by MONACO shows an illustration of the Calcio Fiorentino field and starting positions from a 1688 book by Pietro di Lorenzo Bini, Florence, circa 1963 [Reference: 7] By Sergey Goryachev / http://www.shutterstock.com

References

Logo References

[1] Calcio Storico Fiorentino Facebook (2022) Profile Picture [Internet] Available from: https://external-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/emg1/v/t13/14757605033774122771?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ticketone.it%2Fobj%2Fmedia%2FIT-eventim%2Fteaser%2Fevo%2Fartwork%2F2022%2Fcalcio-storico-biglietti.jpg&fb_obo=1&utld=ticketone.it&stp=c0.5000×0.5000f_dst-emg0_p1240x382_q75&ccb=13-1&oh=00_AT_PG8FvC3Cmr-jduZETXLx2SohICbM9489h7BqBFsZdww&oe=62B88E48&_nc_sid=c504da [Accessed 25 June 2022]

Results References

[2] Calcio Storico Fiorentino Facebook (2023) May 25, 2023 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/CalcioStoricoFi/posts/pfbid02hmnpfAqYYNvfFvPLwKBSMTAqnkEehw5a1qr4sdgvQepZrb2ctB6kDmz1txJqsyx2l [Accessed 25 June 2023]

[3] Valeri Pagni Facebook (2022) June 11, 2023 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/valerio.pagni.37/posts/pfbid02VPjYidTNWZzjD2ZLF7n9YhYXaXhVbuHr77o4e7RtoSsVyifDhXp8qhXdmnxZKnALl [Accessed 25 June 2023]

[4] Azzurri di Santa Croce Facebook (2023) June 23, 2023 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/azzurrisantacroce/posts/pfbid02vR2aF7mVTG5DAh1tMpLMnRaotWTso2FkKgiq2JY9HFF36zUTiS7BP2js4HaFrKWnl [Accessed 25 June 2023]

[5] Calcio Storico Fiorentino Facebook (2022) June 23, 2023 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/CalcioStoricoFi/posts/pfbid03xJmw3XRWXLKphJ8MufFouA8gx2LJTQGhuVpff2j3s6ZMg72bQYfYLGv6ZtSg7Mgl [Accessed 25 June 2023]

[6] Calcio Storico Fiorentino Facebook (2022) June 24, 2023 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/CalcioStoricoFi/posts/pfbid02XFCQqHkhsEskizLxk34qWQKtZ1L7RT5JspASvCdhrkNQEjE5snBroBHrcxdQe1ZRl [Accessed 25 June 2023]

Logo References

[1] Tornabueni (2019) colori-calcio-storico_wp-1024×700 [Internet] Available from: https://www.tornabuoni1.com/it/2019/05/16/i-colori-del-calcio-storico-fiorentino/ [Accessed 25 June 2023][Cropped]

History References

[5] Calcio Storico Fiorentino Sito Ufficiale (2020) Risultati Partite [Internet] Available from: http://www.calciostoricofiorentino.it/risultati_partite [Accessed 4 August 2020]

[6] Calcio Storico Fiorentino Sito Ufficiale (2020) Albo d’Oro [Internet] Available from: http://www.calciostoricofiorentino.it/risultati_partite [Accessed 4 August 2020]

[7] Calcio Storico Fiorentino Sito Ufficiale (2020) CALCIO STORICO FIORENTINO [Internet] Available from: http://calciostoricofiorentino.it/?q=calcio-storico-fiorentino [Accessed 4 August 2020]

[8] Calcio Storico Fiorentino Sito Ufficiale (2020) Studies & Documentation [Internet] Available from: http://www.calciostoricofiorentino.it/?q=studi_e_documentazione [Accessed 4 August 2020]

Rules

[13] You Tube Ninh Ly Channel (2017) The Rules of Calcio Fiorentino – EXPLAINED! [Internet] Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obneC8zQNIQ&t=55s [Accessed 25 June 2022]

IMAGES

[9] Calcio Storico Fiorentino Sito Ufficiale (2020) IMG_0823 [Internet] Available from: http://calciostoricofiorentino.it/sites/default/files/IMG_0823.jpg [Accessed 4 August 2020]

[10] FLORENCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 17, 2020: Calcio Storico and the rallying of the troops By BAHADIR ARAL AVCI / http://www.shutterstock.com

[12] FLORENCE – JUN 24 Fighting players during Calcio Fiorentino match on June, 24,2012 Calcio fiorentino calcio storico or calcio in costume is an historic florentine game, origins of modern football By mkistryn http://www.123rf.com

[14] Visit Florence (2022) Event – Calcio Storico Fiorentino [Internet] Available from: https://www.visitflorence.com/florence-events/calcio-storico-fiorentino.html [Accessed 25 June 2022]

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to Francesco.

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball – Irish North American and World Sports Archives

Last Updated: 25 June 2023

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Reserved. The Logos and Photos used in this article remain the property of the organisations and individuals which own the copyright and are used here for educational and information purposes only.

August 23, 2022

Irish Kabaddi Team in Kerala State Championships 2010

Report

As part of their Irish Television Series “Colin and Graham’s Excellent Adventures” the two protagonists set up a Irish Kabaddi Team and enter the Kerala State Championships in India. The Irish Kabaddi Team lost their first game by seven points, but as they said themselves they put Ireland on the Kabaddi Map. For a Video of the Game please visit the video link in References [1] below.

ABOUT

Kabaddi is an Indian Tag Game, popular throughout South Asia, whereby a team has to tag players on the opposing team and get back to their own base without being tagged in turn in the time it takes to hold their breath. In order to ensure the players are holding their breath they have to repeat “Kabaddi” over and over again. It is India’s Regional and Traditional Sport, like Hurling in Ireland.

Kabaddi Photo

[P-IND-2] Photo Contributor: Snehal Jeevan Pailkar (2019) **Mumbai, India – April 12, 2019 : Indias regional sport Kabaddi practiced by kids at local Mumbai ground** [Internet] Available from: https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/mumbai-india-april-12-2019-indias-1372101509 [Accessed 23 August 2022]

Map of India Showing Kerala

Eirball’s Irish Kabaddi Map of India – Map by Rainer Lesniewski with Irish Flag added to Kerala State Showing location of Irish Kabaddi Team’s 2010 entry into Kerala State Kabaddi Championships [References: M-IND and 1]

[M-IND] Contributor: Rainer Lesniewski (2015) india administrative map 2015 with flag [Internet] Available from: https://www.shutterstock.com/image-vector/india-administrative-map-2015-flag-305107928 [Accessed 23 August 2022]

References

[1] Ronan McCloskey’s You Tube Page (2010) Video, Mar 10 2010 “Irish Kabaddi Team – Colin and Graham’s Excellent Adventures [Internet] Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uEFHfU-zhc [Accessed 23 August 2022]

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish, North American and World Sports Archives

Last Updated: 23 August 2022

December 20, 2021March 31, 2022

Hanetsuki (Japanese Badminton)

About Hanetsuki

Hanetsuki is a traditional Japanese form of Badminton, which is usually played as part of New Year’s Festivities in Japan (January 1 in the Modern Calendar) [2]. Along with a traditional card game, Kite Flying, a Battle of the Bands between two of Japan’s most popular musical artists [2] , and the Rice Bowl – Japan’s American Football Super Bowl – it is one of the Games highlights of celebrating New Year in Japan.

The game is similar to the old European game of “Battledore and Shuttlecock”, which is no doubt derived from similar games in East and South East Asia which gave rise to the modern sport of Badminton [5] . Hanetsuki is played by usually by two girls with a wooden paddle and a shuttlecock but with no net and the object of the game is to keep the shuttlecock in the air as long as possible by batting it to each other [2, 3]. The girl who lets the shuttlecock drop gets marked with India Ink [2], or in another tradition, has to pay for the Kimono [3]. It is traditionally played in a Kimono [3].

Although the sport or game is not as popular as it once was highly decorated paddles, called Hagoita, are sold throughout Japan as ornaments [2, 3]. Hanetsuki is first mentioned in the Nara Period (710-794 AD), when the Imperial Capital was in the Japanese City of the same name. This is the period when the Nihon shoki – the origin myth of Japan – was written [3].

Hanetsuki Paddle (Hagoita)

Item ID: 1195451194

Photographic Contributor

YandL

References

[1] Tradition & Games WordPress Blog (2015) Hanetsuki [Internet] Available from: https://traditiongames.wordpress.com/2015/08/03/hanetsuki/ [Accessed 20 December 2021

[2] Nipponario (2013) Hanetsuki Badminton [Internet] Available from: http://nipponario.abranera.com/?p=2665#sthash.bEXccKDI.dpbs [Accessed 20 December 2021]

[3] Nipponary (2012) Nara Period [Internet] Available from: http://nipponario.abranera.com/?p=81#sthash.jjgK4stD.dpbs [Accessed 20 December 2012]

[4] Japan Centre (2021) Celebrating Shogatsu – New Year in Japan [Internet] Available from: https://blog.japancentre.com/2021/12/20/celebrating-shogatsu-new-year-in-japan/ [Accessed 20 December 2021]

[5] National Badminton Museum (2021) The Game of Battledore and Shuttlecock [Internet] Available from: https://www.nationalbadmintonmuseum.com/battledore-and-shuttlecock/ [Accessed 20 December 2021]

Image References

[6] Shutterstock (2021) Hagoita [Internet] Available from: https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/good-luck-charm-japanese-hagoita-1195451194 [Accessed 20 December 2021]

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to Caoilfhionn Nic Fhearai

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 20 December 2021

December 19, 2021December 20, 2023

Papua Sepak Takraw Games XX 2021

Women’s Final Medal Standings

Papua Sepak Takraw Games Women XX 2021

Pos	Team	W	Pts
1	Papua	3	275
2	Jambi	1	0
2	South Sulawesi	2	0
2	West Sulawesi	1	0

Men’s Final Medal Standings

Papua Sepak Takraw Games Men XX 2021

Pos	Team	W	Pts
1	Papua	3	260
2	North Sumatra	2	0
2	South Sumatra	1	0
2	West Sulawesi	1	0

Recap

At the 2021 Papua Regional Sepak Takraw Games XX in Indonesia, the Home Team won Gold (Champion I) at both Men’s and Women’s Sepak Takraw. The Papua Men took 260 points and the Papua Women 275 points. Beaten finalists were North Sumatra (Men) and South Sulawesi (Women).

Sepak Takraw is like Volleyball played with all parts of the body except the arms and is Native to South East Asia, where both Thailand and Malaysia claim to have invented it. The 2021 Papua Sepak Takraw Games were the 20th East Indonesian Regional Games and were held in GOR Cenderawasih University, Abepura on Sunday, 26th September 2021.

Sepak Takraw Stock Image

Image Reference

Item ID: 712114645

MALAYSIA, KUALA LUMPUR, 10 SEPTEMBER 2017 – Sepak Takraw Athletes perform during 29th Sea Games Kuala Lumpur 2017.

Photograph Contributor

Photographer

Mohd Nasirruddin Yazid

References

[1] Zonadunia (2021) [Internet] Available from: https://zonadunia.com/2021/09/27/tak-tanggung-dua-emas-untuk-papua-dari-sepak-takraw-putra-dan-putri/ [Accessed 19 December 2021]

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to Paul Hui (Trinity College Dublin) & Eoghan Murphy.

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish, North American and World Sports Archives

Last Updated: 19 December 2021

July 13, 2021

Chaco South American Indian Hockey

About

A game similar to Field Hockey played with a ball made of wood or rope by Chaco Indian tribes in South America, sometimes instead of war or to prove superiority over another tribe. The World Indigineous Games were held in Palmas, Brazil, in 2015 for the first time. This is a Maori video of the event from Te Karere TVNZTe Karere TVNZ.

Video

References

Bibliography

[1] Wojciech Liponski (2003) “Chaco South American Indian Hockey” World Sports Encyclopedia pg. 123. MBI Publishing, St. Paul. Minnesota, USA.

Social Media

[2] You Tube Te Karere TVNZTe Karere TVNZ Channel (2015) Indigenous sports teams meet in Palmas, Brazil for inaugural worldwide Indigenous Games [Internet] Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXDV331Ob8M [Accessed 18 May 2021]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Emmanuel (Kimmage Development Studies Centre, Dublin, Ireland).

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 13 July 2021

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Reserved. The Logos and Videos used in this article remain the property of the organisations and individuals which own the copyright and are used here for educational and information purposes only.

July 13, 2021December 20, 2023

Chandimu (Tanzanian Football)

About

Chandimu is a Tanzanian Street version of Association Football (soccer) played usually with teams of 2-15 people and stones or posts without crossbars or netting for goals. The Logos and Videos used in this article remain the property of the organisations and individuals which own the copyright and are used here for educational and information purposes only.

Video

References

Bibliography

[1] Wojciech Liponski (2003) “Chandimu” World Sports Encyclopedia pg. 123. MBI Publishing, St. Paul. Minnesota, USA.

Social Media

[2] You Tube richard chadi Channel (2011) Makaburini mpira wa chandimu kazi kazii [Internet] Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWmvTVXSdq8 [Accessed 18 May 2021]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Emmanuel (Kimmage Development Studies Centre, Dublin, Ireland).

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 13 July 2021

May 18, 2021December 20, 2023

Kemari (Japanese Football Code) 794-Present

Report

Kemari is an ancient Japanese Football game resembling hacky-sack or keepy-uppies. The aim of the players is to keep the ball in the air by kicking it with the leg or feet, either to another player or to themselves. It is the achievement of the highest artistic performance that is important rather than winning. It is played by 6-8 players and is not limited by time. In the Modern Era it is usually stopped by one of the players selected as the game leader and resumed after a break. Each game usually lasts 10-15 minutes. It is played by both men and women and is considered a national sport, enjoyed by families, three generations sometimes playing at the same, which is not unusual to see. It dates from the Heian Period (794-1195).

Video of Kemari 201

Kemari 2011 [References: 3]

Please Note: this game gets off to a slow start, like a Japanese Tea Ceremony. Jump to about 2 minutes in to see how similiar to the modern game of hacky sack it is.

References

Bibliography

[1] Wojciech Liponski (2003) “Kemari” World Sports Encyclopedia pg. 316. MBI Publishing, St. Paul. Minnesota, USA.

[2] Encyclopaedia Brittanica (2021) Kemari [Internet] Available from: https://www.britannica.com/topic/kemari [Accessed 18 May 2021]

Social Media

[3] You Tube zaicushastyj Channel (2011) Kemari (Japanese: 蹴鞠) is a form of football that was popular in Japan during the Heian Period. Kemari has been revived in modern times. This game was played in Sniramine-jingu, Kyoto [Internet] Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MGp_sQHQLc [Accessed 18 May 2021]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Caoilfhionn Nic Fhearai

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 18 May 2021

May 5, 2021November 1, 2023

Calcio Storico Fiorentino 2008

Comune di Firenze Logo [References: 1]

Results

Date	Team 1		Team 2
	Semi-Finals
14.06.2008	Azzurri di Santa Croce	5	Bianchi di Santo Spirito	3 ½
15.06.2008	Rossi di Santa Maria Novella	Win	Verdi di San Giovanni	Forfeit #
	FInal
24.06.2008	Rossi di Santa Maria Novella	9 ½	Azzurri di Santa Croce	4

[References: 2]

Note: # Verdi di San Giovanni forfeited the Semi-Final with Rossi due to protesting at the introduction of new regulations.

Report

Rossi di Santa Maria Novella were Calcio Storico Fiorentino Champions in 2008 with a 9 ½ to 4 victory over Azzurri di Santa Croce in the Final. Calcio Storico Fiorentino (“Florentine Historical Football”) is a Medieval Football game, first organised in Renaissance Florence, Tuscany, Italy, that was first played by workers between breaks in work, and then organised matches beginning in 1530. It is played by four teams representing the four quarters of Florence during the main festival period in Florence each year.

References

Images

[1] Calcio Storico Fiorentino Sito Ufficiale (2020) logo-tamburino-firenze [Internet] Available from: http://www.calciostoricofiorentino.it/sites/default/files/logo-tamburino-firenze.png [Accessed 4 August 2020]

Websites

[2] Calcio Storico Fiorentino Sito Ufficiale (2020) Risultati Partite [Internet] Available from: http://www.calciostoricofiorentino.it/risultati_partite [Accessed 4 August 2020]

[4] Calcio Storico Fiorentino Sito Ufficiale (2020) CALCIO STORICO FIORENTINO [Internet] Available from: http://calciostoricofiorentino.it/?q=calcio-storico-fiorentino [Accessed 4 August 2020]

[5] Calcio Storico Fiorentino Sito Ufficiale (2020) Studies & Documentation [Internet] Available from: http://www.calciostoricofiorentino.it/?q=studi_e_documentazione [Accessed 4 August 2020]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Francesco.

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 5 May 2021

May 5, 2021November 1, 2023

Calcio Storico Fiorentino 2009

Comune di Firenze Logo [References: 1]

Results

Date	Team 1		Team 2
	Semi-Finals
13.06.2009	Rossi di Santa Maria Novella	11	Bianchi di Santo Spirito	4
14.06.2009	Azzurri di Santa Croce	14	Verdi di San Giovanni	0
	Final
24.06.2009	Rossi di Santa Maria Novella	14	Azzurri di Santa Croce	3 ½

[References: 2]

Report

Rossi di Santa Maria Novella were 2009 Calcio Storico Fiorentino Champions having defeated Azzurri di Santa Croce 14- 3 ½ in the Final. Calcio Storico Fiorentino (“Florentine Historical Football”) is a Medieval Football game, first organised in Renaissance Florence, Tuscany, Italy, that was first played by workers between breaks in work, and then organised matches beginning in 1530. It is played by four teams representing the four quarters of Florence during the main festival period in Florence each year.

References

Images

Websites

[2] Calcio Storico Fiorentino Sito Ufficiale (2020) Risultati Partite [Internet] Available from: http://www.calciostoricofiorentino.it/risultati_partite [Accessed 4 August 2020]

[4] Calcio Storico Fiorentino Sito Ufficiale (2020) CALCIO STORICO FIORENTINO [Internet] Available from: http://calciostoricofiorentino.it/?q=calcio-storico-fiorentino [Accessed 4 August 2020]

[5] Calcio Storico Fiorentino Sito Ufficiale (2020) Studies & Documentation [Internet] Available from: http://www.calciostoricofiorentino.it/?q=studi_e_documentazione [Accessed 4 August 2020]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Francesco.

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 5 May 2021

March 25, 2021December 20, 2023

Cuju (Chinese Football Code) 770 BC – Present

Report

Cuju is an Ancient Chinese code of Football, whose origins are unclear but maybe in Lanzi, the capital of Qi State during the Spring and Autumn Period 770 bc – 476 bc. After attending the Chian World Football Exhibition in 2004, President Sepp S. Blatter of FIFA, the world governing body of Soccer, declared that it was the origins of the present game of soccer.

It appears to have had religious symbolism, the football field represented the earth, and the football represented the celestial bodies. It is estimated that there are approximately 5,000 players of Cuju in Linzi distict. During the Northern Song Dynasty 960-1126 football pitches were laid out and professional Cuju football teams played at the court of the emperor. During the earlier Han dynasty the sport had poetic writing about it and had military significance as well as recreational. ‘Ju’ means a rubber ball covered in leather or an animal bladder stuffed with feathers. Cuju means to ‘Kick a ball with the foot’.

According to the World Sports Encyclopedia, the number of players in team was not fixed, and the numbers varied from 2-10. Teams could only pass to teammates in their own half, and by the time the border was crossed had to kick towards the goal, which was two poles adorned with coloured ribbons. It involves an aspect of keepie-uppies, like in Marn Grook.

Video

Cuju Video [References: 3]

References

Websites

[1] Oxford Reference (2021) Cuju [Internet] Available from: https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803095652439 [Accessed 25 March 2021]

[2] Wojciech Liponski (2003) “Cuju” World Sports Encyclopaedia pg. 150.

Media

[3] You Tube (2021) Aug 19, 2018 “Man finds joy playing cuju, the parent of modern soccer” [Internet] Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUBWojS3kH4 [Accessed 25 March 2021]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Caoilfhionn Nic Fhearai

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 25 March 2021

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Resereved.