The Growing Popularity Of Spectator Sports
We often take for granted that sports is about winning, and if a game is won fair and square, there is no need to discuss what rules were used, or who scored what, or any of the other details that make up a sporting event. But there is much more to sports than winning and understanding this can help us enjoy the games better, as well as being able to appreciate them more for their interesting characters and drama. So the first thing we need to do is appreciate the purpose of sports: to have fun!
The rules of most sports vary greatly between the different games, but the spirit behind them remains the same. Many sports are governed by some kind of tradition or code, which ensure fair play and allow for consistent adjudication of the outcome. International sports such as baseball and softball, for example, rely on uniform dress codes so that teams can practice together without prejudice. However, there are many other traditions and rules that can make non-physical competitions more interesting, such as mind sports, which use psychology and various forms of mental challenges to increase the competitiveness among a team or even the entire field of play.
Non-physical rules of sports allow a greater variety in the games themselves, as well as providing entertainment for spectators. For example, bowling and baseball games of arm and hand, while soccer, golf, swimming and skiing games of physical skill. However, there are still sports which rely entirely on physical dexterity, such as tennis, badminton, table tennis and swimming, while also including non-physical games such as cheerleading and gymnastics. In fact, it is this physical dexterity which provides most of the entertainment for spectators, as well as allowing the competitive spirit to flourish.
As mentioned, there are many different types of sports, with each having its own specific place in the world of sport. While football is the most popular of all sports, it is actually only one aspect of a much larger field. Golf, for example, is also an outdoor game, although the physical activity required to play it is quite different from football. Tennis is a sport that involve kicking, hitting, and grappling, and requires the use of both hands and legs; while swimming involves an element of movement, although it is mainly submerged in water. As you can see, there are plenty of different areas where there are differences between sports, making the question of what is a sport essentially meaningless when it comes to legal definitions.
The most popular sports include football, basketball, ice hockey, swimming, tennis, baseball, golf, softball and volleyball. Although these are the most popular, they do not represent the whole of the sporting world, as there are many more disciplines which are regularly played. These include diving, rugby, field hockey, softball, bowling, fencing, racquetball, hockey, American football, rugby, soccer, motor-bike racing, ice skating, surfing, sailing, fencing and beach volleyball. The inclusion of these disciplines in popular sports provides an opportunity for fans to show their favourite teams and players in unique ways. For instance, the fans of a team who are successful in a particular discipline can show their support by organising a banner competition, for which they can demonstrate their skills and talents, and in which they can invite other enthusiasts to join.
spectator sports are generally those that are seen over the television or the computer screen. This includes all forms of sports coverage, including news and commentating, as well as replays of previous matches so that those watching can get a true depiction of how the contest was to the finish. The growing popularity of live sporting events has led to the further development of technological advancements that are now making it easier for fans to catch live action through the television, computer monitor or mobile phone. While the physical act of gathering together with friends and family to watch a sport is still an important part of that experience, the increased ability to gather around a screen has opened up new opportunities for social interaction, including the possibility of following teams and players online, or even being able to follow individual players’ progress on the field. Such opportunities have contributed to the growing popularity of spectator sports, and therefore to modern day e-sports.
