Sporto

Sporto is a team ball sport played on a rectangular field that emphasizes speed, passing, and coordinated movement. It blends elements of football (soccer) and handball, allowing both hand and foot handling of the ball and scoring in a goal net at each end. The sport is governed internationally by the International Sporto Federation (ISF), which publishes official rules and coordinates international competition.

On the field, seven players per side compete at a time, with rolling substitutions permitted. Official matches last 60 minutes, divided into two 30-minute halves with a 10-minute halftime. A goal is scored when the ball wholly crosses the goal line between the posts. The ball may be advanced by hand or foot. A player may hold the ball for up to five seconds; after that, possession is awarded to the other team. Restarts after goals are taken by the non-scoring team from the midfield, starting play at the center line.

Field and equipment: international fields typically measure about 90–110 meters in length and 50–70 meters in width. Goals are similar to football goals with nets. The ball is a size-5 spherical ball suitable for kicking and throwing. Players wear standard athletic uniforms, with optional protective padding in line with ISF guidelines to promote safety and fair play.

History and development: sporto was codified in the late 1990s by a multinational committee seeking to blend fast-paced passing with broad accessibility. The first world championships occurred in 2004, and the sport has since expanded to dozens of nations with regional leagues and youth development programs. The ISF oversees rules, eligibility, and anti-doping policies, and coordinates international competitions.