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International Journal of Physical Education, Sports and Health 2017; 4(3): 248-251
P-ISSN: 2394-1685
E-ISSN: 2394-1693
Impact Factor (ISRA): 5.38
IJPESH 2017; 4(3): 248-251
© 2017 IJPESH
www.kheljournal.com
Received: 15-03-2017
Accepted: 17-04-2017
Mohammed Abou Elmagd
Sports Manager, Student Affairs,
Physical Activity Department,
Ras Al Khaimah Medical and
Health Sciences University,
RAK, United Arab Emirates.
Correspondence
Mohammed Abou Elmagd
Sports Manager, Student Affairs,
Physical Activity Department,
Ras Al Khaimah Medical and
Health Sciences University,
RAK, United Arab Emirates.
Is Billiards considered a sport?
Mohammed Abou Elmagd
Abstract
Understanding the differences between games and sports can be done when we can identify the two terms
as two different words. A sport is a physical activity carried out under fixed set of rules, with competition
or self-enjoyment or a combination of both. A game is a recreational activity involving one or more
players, defined by a goal that the players try to reach, and some set of rules to play it. Most of the people
is confused between Sport and game because the word game has several meanings. Actually we can play
a game of sports, but we can't sport a game. Olympics they are called the OLYMPIC GAMES and all the
competitions are in specific Sports. Cue sports are a wide variety of games of skill generally played with
a cue stick which is used to strike billiard balls, moving them around a cloth-covered billiards table
surrounded by rubber cushions. Billiards is a sport, and you can play different games within the sport:
eight- ball, nine- ball, three ball, one pocket and bank pool. Pocket Billiards has been declared a Sport by
the Olympic Committee. Billiards category including pool, snooker and carom was presented in the 2005
World Games, held in Duisburg, Germany, and the 2006 Asian Games as a cue sports category. Thus,
definitely billiards should be announced as a sport.
Keywords: sport, game, cue sports, billiards, physical activity.
1. Introduction
People often take game and sport as to be the same one. However, game and sport are
different. Sport includes all forms of competitive physical activity or games which
[1]
. through
casual or organized participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical ability and skills
while providing enjoyment to participants, and in some cases, entertainment for audiences
[2]
.
Sport is generally recognized as system of activities which are based in physical flexibility or
physical agility, with the largest main competitions such as the Olympic Games admitting only
sports meeting this definition
[3]
. A physical activity, Sport is carried out under a fixed set of
rules. On the other hand a game is a structured form of play, usually assumed for enjoyment
and sometimes used as an educational tool
. [4]
Sport is related to entertaining purpose, either for
self-enjoyment or competition or for both. A game is also for entertaining activities and it
involves one or more players played on the basis of a set of rules, a game is also defined as a
goal that the players try to achieve. Sport is an activity or activities where the material skills of
the sportsperson are observed. In a sport, it is the sportsperson or the individual who
determines the outcome. Well, an individual’s talent does not determine a game. It is the entire
performance of the players that decides the winner in a game
[5]
.
A person participating in a sport is called as athlete or a sports person. A person who
participates in a game is known as player. When a game relies on strategy, sport is based on
individual performances and luck. In a sport, the athlete can take independent decisions, but a
player cannot take such independent decisions in a game. A decision is taken at a game
collectively among two or more players. Another difference between them is that the sport is
based on physical energy and the game is based on mental strength. Sport is played with a
view of competition in mind while game is played with a friendly attitude. One can come
across more efficiency in sport than the game. In a sport, the athlete or sports person is
expected to show good sportsmanship and also have high standards of conduct like respecting
the challengers and the officials. But in a game, an individual may not deliver such
personality. In game, the performance of the whole team is taken into account. Sport is
organized and competitive. It also requires commitment and fair play.