Esports is growing around the globe, with more and more individuals being engaged as players or spectators. But is it a sport? The bet might be still on!
Regardless of whether e-sports qualify as sports, they should be examined in sport management because they are a manifestation of sportification. Sportification means to either: (a) view, organize, or regulate a non-sport activity in such a way that it resembles a sport and allows a fair, pleasurable, and safe environment for individuals to compete and co-operate, and compare their performances to each other, and future and past performances; or (b) add a sport component to an existing activity in order to make it more attractive to its audiences.
The growing popularity and profitability of esports are pushing high schools, universities, and non-profit groups to redefine esports and its role as a competitive activity. When we say the word ‘sports’, what do we think of? If we are a fan, it could be football, basketball or soccer. It may be tennis or golf. For some, it might even be chess or bridge.
The International Olympic Committee recognizes both chess and bridge as bona fide sports. Though esports is now becoming accepted as a sport and competitive gamers are now being identified as athletes within society. It also featured at the 2018 Asian Games as a demonstration sport, meaning medals won in this sport would not be counted in the official overall medal tally.
But the disheartening fact is despite debuting as a demonstration event in Jakarta-Palembang, Indonesia, to great fanfare, esports will be missing in action at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
So this bet might go on, whether esports is only recreational or it might have a competitive aspect as well! Whatever may be the outcome, it is something which is gaining fields and its promoters should try to take it to the level of professionalism and that might end this bet forever!
