Sports General Knowledge and Physical Education
Sports questions appear in the general knowledge sections of Olympiads, scholarship tests and entrance exams such as AISSEE. Learn the essentials of games, awards and fitness, then test yourself with quiz questions.
What to know for the sports section
Games and rules
- Number of players in each team
- Common terms (wicket, goal, checkmate, smash, raid)
- Playing fields and equipment
Indian sport
- National Sports Day on 29 August, the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand
- Sports awards: Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award, Dronacharya Award (for coaches)
- Traditional games such as kabaddi, kho-kho and mallakhamb
World sport
- The Olympic and Paralympic Games, held every four years
- The five Olympic rings and what they stand for
- Major world cups and tournaments
Fitness and health
- Warm-up and cool-down
- Balanced diet and hydration
- Basic first aid for sports injuries
- Fit India Movement and daily activity
Players per side: a quick reference
| Game | Players per team on the field |
|---|---|
| Cricket | 11 |
| Football | 11 |
| Hockey | 11 |
| Volleyball | 6 |
| Basketball | 5 |
| Kabaddi | 7 |
Squads include substitutes, so the full team list is larger than the number on the field.
Physical education and healthy habits by age
- Classes 1–3: running, jumping, balance and ball games; at least an hour of active play every day.
- Classes 4–6: team games, yoga and basic rules of popular sports; learning to warm up before play.
- Classes 7–10: fitness components (strength, speed, endurance, flexibility), training plans, sports injuries and first aid, and the link between diet and performance.
Sample sports quiz questions
National Sports Day in India is celebrated on:
Show answer
Answer: B. 29 August
National Sports Day is on 29 August, the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand, one of the greatest hockey players of all time.
How many players from one team are on the court in volleyball?
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Answer: B. 6
Each volleyball team has 6 players on the court at a time.
Which is India’s highest sporting honour?
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Answer: C. Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna
The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna is India’s highest sporting honour. The Arjuna Award recognises outstanding players and the Dronacharya Award honours coaches.
How many rings are there in the Olympic symbol?
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Answer: B. 5
The Olympic symbol has five interlocking rings, representing the coming together of athletes from around the world.
The word “checkmate” is used in which game?
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Answer: B. Chess
In chess, checkmate means the king is under attack and has no legal move to escape, which ends the game.
Frequently asked questions
Which exams ask sports questions?
Sports usually appears in general knowledge sections, for example in the AISSEE Class 6 GK section, GK Olympiads and school quiz competitions.
How should a child prepare for sports GK?
Learn the basics (players, terms, awards) once, then keep up with major tournaments through a few short quizzes a week. Current events change, so recent questions need regular revision.
Does physical activity help with studies?
Yes. Regular play and exercise improve fitness, sleep and concentration, which supports learning. A short active break between study sessions helps younger children focus.