14 Sports

Although an important arena for social gathering, sports is not the most important domain for Saami cultural expression and organization. Nevertheless, traditional Saami skills and activities are used as a gathering point and activity at social and cultural events such as festivals, reunions. Here one may compete in lasso throwing, reindeer race driving og snowmobile racing.

There is a Saami Sports Federation, Sámi Valáštallan Lihttus, which has as its stated purpose to strengthen Saami traditions, cultural meetings and friendship within the framework of sports. They see Saami sports as a tool for creating identity, and a carrier of the Saami cultural tradition, including language. They state explicitly that one of their future goals is to extend the organization of sport to the South Saami area, and to urban areas with Saami population. They have three branches:

• Skiing, track racing and lasso throwing
• Reindeer racing
• Football/soccer. The Saamis of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia have united to form Saami National Soccer Teams. There are teams for men, women and youth teams for boys and girls. They all play matches organized by the Confederation of Independent Football Associations.