8 reasons why e-sports must count as real sports

The world is gearing up for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Excitement is everywhere, and fans are already getting in the mood for the thrill. Gambling is similarly emotional as in the stadium. Legal providers like the casino.netbet.it are enjoying brisk growth. A sign that online activities are booming. Above all, it shows that sports and games are very popular on both sides of the net.

But this stirs up an old discussion: Why are e-sports still not treated as a real sport? World championships are held here, too, but the attention is low. The following eight reasons clearly show that something has to change here!

1. hard training in e-sports as well

Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar. It wasn't due to a lack of training, because the players of the Squadra Azzurra train all year round. The situation is similar in e-sports. Those who take part in competitions in virtual sports prepare extensively and for a long time. Motor skills are the be-all and end-all for actually being able to hold one's own against the opponents.
The stress level for e-sports players is also similar to that of soccer, for example. Since the training effort is high on both sides, e-sports should finally be recognized as a sport.

2. team play plays an important role in e-sports

A team can only get ahead in soccer if it fights together. This includes not only the coaching staff, but especially the team. Tactics, moves, reactions and strategies have to be planned. All of this also takes place in e-sports, but with much less recognition. There are also individual games, but many e-sports events are based on team play.
Games like Counter Strike are worth mentioning here, where five people form a team together. Without the appropriate mental training and physical balance, it doesn't work here either.

3. physical training is also important in e-sports

Those who believe that only sports professionals have to work hard are under a misapprehension. To stay mentally fit, most e-athletes also rely on physical activity during training. Sports like table tennis and foosball promote concentration, while soccer with teammates gets rid of adrenaline. Even today, the general image is that e-athletes are lazy and sluggish, spending their days on the couch.
Instead, the physical training schedule is rigorous, as this is the only way to maintain responsiveness. The workload is similar to that of soccer players and other athletes, although part of the training naturally takes place on the computer.

4. e-sports is well organized and future-oriented

Tournaments like the FIFA World Cup in e-sports do not take place unstructured and without organization. The niche has long since established itself and impresses with a distinct organizational structure. Professional leagues exist, new players are promoted, and umbrella organizations ensure optimal enforcement of the rules. The International E-Sports Federation is one of the most important organizations and was founded by nine national associations.
The Italians are also a founding member, because e-sports are very popular in this country. Around 150 million people regularly take part in events as spectators. A figure that is not as high everywhere in Europe.

5. e-sports creates opportunities and connects people

For a long time, there were whispers about e-sportsmen behind closed doors. They were people without friends who had no hobbies in their lives. It has long since become clear that the gaming industry is being misjudged. E-sportsmen communicate with their teams, with clans, with friends from outside the industry and simply like to use modern technology. Team meetings are held via Instagram or Teamspeak, simply because some of the athletes don't live in the same city.
But it's no different in soccer. Top stars like Gianluigi Donnarumma often only keep in touch with their friends from afar.

6. jobs are created with e-sports

A look at Asia shows what is possible in e-sports. There, athletes have long since ceased to be a fringe group and have become celebrated athletes. And if you now take a look at the ever-increasing number of gamers in Europe, you can see that there is potential here. Already today, the biggest e-sports players can earn their living with the sport. The trend is clearly moving in the direction of professionalization, and those with talent can clearly be promoted.
Due to the wide range of different games, many young people find a home in e-sports. It's only fair to recognize this ambition and willingness to train and define e-sports as a classic sport.

7. fans bet on e-sports and love it

The streaming platform Twitch is one of the most important websites for many gamers. Here, numerous people earn their living by playing video games in front of the camera. Whether amateur or professional, those who have charisma quickly build up a fan base. E-sports events are also broadcast on Twitch, and viewership is steadily increasing. The number of fans clearly justifies the demand for official recognition.
Moreover, with the increase in viewers comes an increase in the number of willing sponsors. This could promote the e-sports industry even better if it is recognized in the spirit of the sport.

8. e-sports is accessible to more people

Only a few people are actually suited for a career as a professional athlete. Soccer players must have certain physical requirements, and women's soccer is still less recognized than men's soccer today. In e-sports, there are opportunities for everyone. It doesn't depend on muscle strength, so women can compete here on equal terms with men. In addition, these sports are also available to people whose physical constitution is not sufficient for a soccer career. People with handicaps come to mind here. The wheelchair user will never play in the classic soccer league, but can easily top the FIFA e-sports world rankings.
Conclusion: There are enough reasons why e-sports are normal sports. Chess is considered a sport, even though the players don't have to move physically or train accordingly on the turf. It has long been recognized here that mental sports are also very challenging. Something similar applies to the iGaming industry and e-sports.
Once you slip into the role of a professional e-sportsman, you quickly realize that this performance is no child's play. Whether it's shooters like CS:GO or FIFA 23, it takes hard training to achieve mastery. It's only fair to finally recognize these achievements, just like soccer and other sports.