Difference Between Game and Sport (With Table)

Games and sports have become a necessity today. These are essential for the physical and mental welfare of the people. It helps to improve the immunity of the people. It keeps people healthy and fit. People who are into game and sport tend to feel fresh, social and active.

They contribute to not just the development of the body, but also to the development of the mind. Everyone is aware of the fact that a healthy mind dwells in a healthy body.

With the help of game and sport, it is possible to acquire the spirit of discipline and brotherhood.

Game vs Sport

The main difference between Game and Sport is that a game requires more than one person and tests the abilities of various people whereas a sport pays attention to only one person’s skills and performance and thus tests the abilities of a single person.


 

Comparison Table Between Game and Sport

Parameters of Comparison

Game

Sport

Meaning

A game is an activity that is carried on when two or more people meet and play against each other for entertainment or amusement.

A sport is an activity that involves the need for some physical effort and mental skills and is played for either recreation, self-enjoyment or competition.

Requirements

A game requires more than one person.

A sport requires one person with skills.

Depends on

The performance of a game depends collectively on all the players.

The performance of a sport depends on an individual’s skills and capabilities.

Participants

The participants of a game are called players.

The participants of a sport are called sportsmen or athletes.

Participant Attitude

A game is played with an attitude of friendliness.

A sport is played with an attitude of competition.

Decision Making

A participant cannot take independent decisions in a game.

A participant can take independent decisions in a sport.

 

What is Game?

The BBC defines a game as a situation when two people or teams get together to play against each other.  The participants of a game are called players. A game is usually played for the purpose of recreation. There are rules and regulations in a game that a player has to adhere to. There is a goal set which the players try to achieve.

Games are usually played with a friendly attitude with the main purpose of providing amusement. It is more of a pastime.

A game basically tests the mental strength of the players. The individual skills and talent of one player do not determine the winning of the game. In order to win a game, the performance of each and every player collectively is important to achieve the set goals.  An example of this could be the game of cricket, where it is the teamwork and effort that decides the winning or losing. Individual efforts cannot determine the same. Players are not able to take independent decisions when playing a game.

 

What is Sport?

The BBC defines Sport as any physical activity with needs physical effort and ability and some level of mental skills. It is basically a physical activity, based on a set of rules and regulations, which is played for the purpose of either recreation, competition or self-enjoyment or all of these. The participants of a sport are called sportsmen or athletes.

Sports is basically to test the physical energy of the participants. There are well-defined set of rules and regulations that all participants have to adhere to. Sports are played with a sense of competition.

A sport tests the skills and talents of an individual as opposed to a team. The entire performance of a sport depends on one individual and his or his skills. An example of this could be a cycling race. The result of the race depends on the individual participants. The winning or losing depends solely on the cyclers and has nothing to do with the other participants. A player can take independent decisions in a sport.


Main Differences Between Game and Sport

  1. A game tests the skills and talent of more than one person. On the other hand, sport tests the skills and talent of a single individual.
  2. The performance of a game depends on the performance of all the players involved, whereas the performance of a sport depends solely on the skills and talents of an individual participating.
  3. The participants of a game are called players whereas the participants of a sport are called sportsmen.
  4. A game is played for recreational purposes, with a friendly attitude. On the other hand, a sport is played with a competitive attitude.
  5. A game usually focuses on the mental strength of the players. On the other hand, sport focuses mainly on the physical strength of the participants.
  6. A participant of a game cannot take independent decisions with regards to a game, whereas a participant of a sport can take all decisions by himself in regards to a game.

 

Conclusion

Game and Sport are things that help keep a person hale and hearty. These are two words that often confuse people. Moreover, most of the people believe that there is no difference between these two words and these words are synonyms for each other.

However, this is not at all true. Both these words have their own meaning. A game is an activity when two or more people or teams come together to play against each other. This is different from a sport because a sport is an activity which tests the physical and mental activities of a single individual.

Thus, one can see, how both these words do not mean the same thing and can be used in scenarios each different from the other.


References

  1. https://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=131607232011542;res=IELIND
  2. https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/jsm/24/3/article-p319.xml