Sportág

Sportág is a Hungarian term meaning a specific sport or sporting discipline. It denotes a distinct branch of sport defined by its own rules, equipment, playing area, and competitive structure. The concept covers a wide range of activities, from team ball games to individual athletic events. The plural form sportágak refers to multiple disciplines and is widely used in sports governance, media, and education in Hungary.

Each sportág typically has a national federation and an international federation that establish official rules, organize competitions, and oversee eligibility and safety standards. National federations coordinate with the national Olympic committee; in Hungary this is the Magyar Olimpiai Bizottság (MOB). Internationally, federations set world rules, sanction events, and manage rankings and anti-doping policies.

Characteristics of a sportág include standardized equipment, a defined playing area, and a competition format such as leagues, cups, or championships. It specifies scoring systems and safety requirements and can involve either individual or team participation. Structures exist at local clubs, national leagues, and international championships, with governance, coaching, and development programs supporting athletes from grassroots to elite levels.

Examples of common sportágak include labdarúgás (football/soccer), kosárlabda (basketball), úszás (swimming), atlétika (athletics), tenisz (tennis), and kézilabda (handball). The term is used to discuss policy, funding, and development of these disciplines within Hungary’s national sports system and in international sport governance.

Use and significance: Defining sportág helps organize policy, funding, and development efforts; sportág federations coordinate with national bodies and clubs to promote broad participation and high-level competition, including world championships and Olympic qualification for their discipline.