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The Forum > Article Comments > 'Dad! I did my first specky!' > Comments

'Dad! I did my first specky!' : Comments

By Dennis Hemphill, published 15/7/2010

What defines an activity as a sport? Is playing virtual sport a sport?

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Dennis,
You’re being ridiculous to seriously suggest computer games are sport. At best it is a hobby, but that is being generous.

The problem with those types of computer games are that the skills required are not particularly specialised or refined. People learn to apply the techniques required by the computer programmer to master their creation. If anything, we should be awarding prizes for computer design.

The day they go to the trouble of declaring a Playstation player world champion, then I might take you seriously, but still most wouldn’t.

I am not prejudiced against indoor sports or require a sport to be physically exerting. I have played all types. I’ve played cricket and footy competitively. I’ve also done the same with volleyball, snooker (American pool), and chess.

In footy, my kicking was suspect, so I always played backline. I never kicked a goal. My 50 game career highlight was that I once took a specky – a real one. It was a memorable feeling.

I’ve acquired a certain level at chess. Chess requires training, technique, tactics and skills of concentration. In Russia the sport even involves drugs like caffeine to provoke or prolong alertness, but these are allowed. The world champion, whether it be Anand or Kasparov, is respected around the world as a true champion sportsperson, as much as say, a Formula One driver.
Posted by Dan S de Merengue, Monday, 19 July 2010 12:38:59 PM
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Dear 'we are unique' and Dan S,

Please see the following:

http://www.fifa.com/interactiveworldcup/index.html

Cheers.
Posted by DHemphill, Monday, 19 July 2010 8:05:23 PM
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Rewind ... I guess Dan missed your sports (topology) continuum theory Dennis.
Posted by dotto, Tuesday, 20 July 2010 9:56:33 AM
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The continuum idea could also apply to the degree of institutionalisation of a sport. Consider a play - work continuum. Depending on the context, the activity could be considered play (amateur, recreational, hobby) or it could be considered work (professional,business-like). For example, backyard cricket with the family on Christmas Day (with all the rule-bending that goes on to make it fun for everyone) is cricket-as-play, while the Boxing Day cricket test is cricket-as-work.

Similarly, on my account of computer football as a different type of sport, but sport nonetheless, there would be computer football that would be play in one context, but professional work in another.
Posted by DHemphill, Tuesday, 20 July 2010 10:17:28 AM
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So ... a contextual sports continuum theory? This is a good game
Posted by dotto, Tuesday, 20 July 2010 10:43:03 AM
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Dan S.

Pardon me, but chess is not sport. A mentally challenging game, but not a sport...sport requires physical endurance, movement and coordination as well as a tough mentality. Chess provides only half of the equation.
Posted by Phil Matimein, Tuesday, 20 July 2010 5:12:26 PM
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