5D: Compare Sports and Activities

Compare Sports and Activities

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eSports Go Global

In the past, people played computer games in their living rooms and bedrooms against their family and friends. But nowadays, gamers play online against hundreds of different people around the world. There are also millions of fans who love watching these eSports as well as playing. They pay money to watch the very best gamers compete in large stadiums. It's just like watching a real sport!
Like other sports
"eSports" is short for electronic sports and, as with normal sports such as soccer and tennis, professional eSports players are very competitive. In some countries, like China and South Korea, there are competitions in stadiums with up to 80,000 fans. At these events, some of the eSports are individual, but most of them are team games. There are five players on each team and the winning team shares the prize money.
Big business
As eSports are growing in popularity, they are also becoming profitable. Globally, the eSports industry is worth about a billion dollars. Large companies sponsor the competitions, and some soccer teams also have their own eSports teams.
But is it a sport?
Of course, some people don't believe it's a real sport because eSports players sit in chairs and they are not physically active. But eSports fans disagree. The players need a lot of skill to win the competitions and, in the future, some people even think eSports will be part of the Olympic Games.

Example:

In Vietnam, the most famous sports team is likely the Vietnam national football team (soccer team). Football (soccer) is the most popular sport in the country, and the national team has a massive fanbase. They have been particularly successful in regional tournaments like the ASEAN Football Federation Championship (AFF Cup) and have a passionate following, especially during major international competitions.

1. Famous Sports Team: The Vietnam national football team, known as "The Golden Dragons", has earned a lot of respect and admiration from fans. While Vietnam has a strong football culture and there are club teams like Hanoi FC and Ho Chi Minh City FC that also draw a lot of attention, the national team captures the most love and enthusiasm.

2. Where Do They Play?: The national team typically plays their home matches at the My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi, which is the largest football stadium in Vietnam. It's a modern venue with a capacity of over 40,000 people and regularly hosts important international matches for the national team.

Goal check

Let's compare soccer and chess as two very different types of sports and activities:

Similarities:

1. Strategy and Mental Focus:
   • Both soccer and chess require a high level of strategy and mental focus. In soccer, players need to constantly think ahead, anticipate the opponent's moves, and make quick decisions. In chess, players must also think several moves ahead and plan out their strategy.
2. Competition:
   • Both activities are competitive and have professional leagues/competitions. Soccer has international tournaments like the World Cup, and chess has prestigious events such as the World Chess Championship.
3. Global Popularity:
   • Both soccer and chess are played worldwide. Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, while chess is enjoyed in many countries, often with national teams and global tournaments.

Differences:

1. Physical vs. Mental Activity:
   • Soccer is a physical sport requiring stamina, strength, agility, and teamwork. It’s played on a large field and involves constant movement. Chess, on the other hand, is entirely mental. It involves sitting at a board and thinking strategically without physical exertion.
2. Team vs. Individual:
   • Soccer is typically a team sport, requiring coordination and teamwork between players. Chess, on the other hand, is generally an individual game, with one player facing off against another.
3. Equipment and Environment:
   • In soccer, the environment is outdoor, usually on grass or artificial turf, and requires equipment like a ball, goals, and jerseys. Chess is typically played indoors on a board, using pieces, and can be done almost anywhere with minimal equipment.
4. Speed of the Game:
   • Soccer is fast-paced, with action happening quickly, especially in a match that lasts 90 minutes or more. Chess, while it can have rapid rounds, tends to be slower as players carefully analyze their options.