The chart illustrates the participation trends in the four most popular sports over a 20-year period beginning in 1985.
Overall
, Linking Words
tennis
experienced a steady increase in popularity, Use synonyms
whereas
Linking Words
rugby
showed a consistent decline. Use synonyms
In contrast
, the numbers for both basketball and badminton remained comparatively stable throughout the period.
In 1985, Linking Words
rugby
was by far the most popular sport, attracting approximately 250 participants, compared with Use synonyms
tennis
, which engaged about 150 individuals. Over the next decade, these two sports exhibited opposite trajectories. Use synonyms
Rugby
participation gradually decreased to around 200 by 1995, at which point it was overtaken by Use synonyms
tennis
. The upward trend for Use synonyms
tennis
continued Use synonyms
thereafter
, exceeding 200 players by the final year, Linking Words
while
Linking Words
rugby
numbers fell sharply to roughly a quarter of the 1995 figure, making it the least popular sport, alongside badminton.
Use synonyms
By contrast
, basketball and badminton consistently attracted smaller groups of between 50 and 70 players over the entire period, with no significant fluctuations. Their stable participation levels stood in stark contrast to the marked shifts observed in Linking Words
rugby
and Use synonyms
tennis
.Use synonyms