There’s still a fair bit of debate over whether esports should be classed as regular sports. Competitive videogames have certainly gained legitimacy over the last few years, with events that rival the pomp, ceremony and spectacle of traditional sporting ones. While that legitimacy can’t be questioned, esports’ standing still is.
Is esports sport? Not according to the British esports Association.
“Esports is not a sport, but a credible activity in its own right,” the British Esports Association says, trying to put paid to the argument.
Many, notably those involved in esport, want it to be classified in much the same way as traditional sport. It would, for starters, open competitive videogames up to some of the funding that sports like Football, rugby and cricket enjoy in the UK. There, as it is here in South Africa, it is put in the same class as mind sports like Chess, Bridge and even Poker (which is subject to the same sorts of debate).
British esports association founder and CEO Chester King has weighed in.
“I can see why there is a bit of confusion as millions of people play and watch esports; there are many professional teams, managers, coaches and tournaments. There is no international standard classification either as in some countries such as Poland, esports, chess and bridge are classified as sports.
The ‘sport’ in esports may be misleading, but like traditional sports, competitive video gaming involves training, long-term dedication, determination, exceptional skills and reaction times, teamwork and coordination, and fun for all the spectators, casters, commentators and fans involved.”
Instead of debating, King argues that it’s time to stop trying to compare esport to sport, and look at it on its own merits.
“It’s time to get away from the ‘esports isn’t a sport’ debate and start realising esports’ true benefits and potential.
Whether or not esports is or is not a sport does not change the fact that the esports industry has enormous creative potential. We must educate audiences to realise its benefits, such as gaining cyber skills and the many career paths it offers, like becoming a professional player, commentator, journalist, manager, or coach.”
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Last Updated: March 30, 2017
Holden ZA
March 30, 2017 at 13:36
100%
and that’s why we shouldn’t strictly apply the sports model to esports.
Things like regional qualification simply doesn’t work in the bigger picture at the pro-level.
*looks at MSSA*
@SargonDotA2
April 5, 2017 at 14:35
++
HvR
March 30, 2017 at 13:37
Think it is an important debate way much than this guy realise.
Out of the crucial point of visas and tax and legal implication winning prize money when competing in another country.
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 30, 2017 at 13:38
It’s 3/4s moisturising cream.
RinceThis
March 30, 2017 at 15:27
You shut up!
Gavin Mannion
March 30, 2017 at 13:39
so instead of eSports we now need to call them eActivities?
Lu
March 30, 2017 at 13:46
Activi-Es?
Skittle
March 30, 2017 at 13:48
esports*
Gavin Mannion
March 30, 2017 at 13:50
NEVER
Magoo
March 30, 2017 at 13:51
nEver*
Magoo
March 30, 2017 at 13:58
I believe 100% that esports are sports. Give me the definition of “sport”, using football as an example, then show me how that definition does not translate into DOTA or CS:GO with the exact same mechanics.
I think that most have already accepted it.
Gavin Mannion
March 30, 2017 at 13:59
Sports require strenuous physical activity.. it’s why eSports will never be classified as a sport.
Sports are measured on athletic ability, esports are measured on mental ability.
HvR
March 30, 2017 at 14:04
But sports like golf, sailing, equestrian and one of the 9 original modern Olympic sports sharp shooting also does not have strenuous physical activity.
Magoo
March 30, 2017 at 14:09
Esports can be physically enduring, just not as strenuously. But then what about archery, hunting, chess – none of these are classified as sports?
Captain JJ
March 30, 2017 at 14:20
Originally sport merely meant “entertainment” but the definition has shifted a lot since then. And for obvious reasons.
But if you were to base an argument on the word’s etymology then Esport should be acceptable.
miaau
March 30, 2017 at 15:47
And that is why sex is not seen as a sport, it requires both physical AND mental prowess.
Err, um. Ok. Dunno how that just slipped out. Um.
Captain JJ
March 30, 2017 at 14:11
It’s a bloody name. Call it snu snu. Just fkn get over this and get on with life.
I get the classification is the important thing, but the name itself is made a very big deal about.
Ottokie
March 30, 2017 at 14:11
SOCO is REAL whiskey!
Captain JJ
March 30, 2017 at 14:12
YEA.
Wait…
Ottokie
March 30, 2017 at 14:12
…oh esports
nvm
HvR
March 30, 2017 at 14:17
No embrace your non-conformist brony ways, call it esporTs
Lu
March 30, 2017 at 15:36
Anyone wanna help me club a seal?
miaau
March 30, 2017 at 15:46
are you a fully paid up member of the seal club club club?
Lu
March 30, 2017 at 16:02
Took me a minute to properly register that. Well played.
RinceThis
March 30, 2017 at 15:28
yup. it ain’t a sport.
Craig "CrAiGiSh" Dodd
March 30, 2017 at 15:30
I wish I was an esports athlete … beating women off of me with my gamer glove …
Neon Voice
July 30, 2017 at 10:18
What separates sports and competitive gaming is, sacrifice. Gaming doesn’t have any stakes like sports does. Sports stakes are physical and/or economical. Gaming doesn’t require sacrifice, therefore no real determination. You go home and reset, no pun intended. In sports you are physically and mentally punished during training and during the contest itself and after. That’s why losing in sports is so, soul crushing. You’ve put your blood, sweat and tears into winning and it wasn’t good enough. That can be debilitating. Sports is also, way more expensive to compete professionally or even recreationally, sometimes. Majority of athletes did not have full time jobs and were in dire straights. Most often they are scraping by just to get their foot in the door. It could take years or even nearly a lifetime to be able to even compete. Sports is a make it or break it medium, while pro gaming is for hobbyists who have too much time to waste.