EN
The paper deals with sport as an important element that strengthens contemporary ethnic identities. In a dynamic global world, people look for something to help them to satisfy their need for collective identification. When such hitherto existing ethnic elements which constituted identity as language, religion, territory or history are not sufficient, new elements are sought. The author discusses some examples of sports and games, which are an important part of the Basque identity. He describes some traditional sports – Korrika, pelota and aizkolariak – as well as football, placing them in their socio-cultural, historical and political context related to the currently important phenomenon of collective identity. The article encourages looking at sport or games in a wider, identity-related and ludological context. The paper also includes a suggestion for a research methodology and indicates the cognitive and applicable utility of this kind of research.