Disabled sport spurns esport as well

The German Disabled Sports Association (DBS) also clearly positioned itself today against the inclusion of Esport, thus also missing an opportunity. For Secretary General Thomas Urban, esport is fundamentally not a sport.

Nevertheless, the DBS would like to support esports as a complementary offer to the core offer of the clubs, since “eSports offer more opportunities for participation in terms of own activities and social interaction, especially for people with mobility impairments”. However, the association expressly rejects titles “that aim to injure or kill virtual human game characters.” Except FIFA, this leaves almost all successful Esport titles out for disabled sports!

Credit must also be given to the association for the following statement:

eSports has a great relevance for people with disabilities. Players with and without disabilities can compete and interact in a joint game. In this way, barriers can be broken down and positive experiences promoted. In addition, certain game titles can also help improve cognitive and sensorimotor skills. For people with obility restrictions, eSports also means more
Participation opportunities regarding own activities and social interaction. Sports simulations in particular can be a way for people with disabilities to get more exercise and sports in their daily lives.

As a consequence, the DBS currently sees no need to include esport competitions in the Paralympic program or to support such a development.

The full resolution can be found here.

Author: Marian Härtel

Marian Härtel ist Rechtsanwalt und Fachanwalt für IT-Recht mit einer über 25-jährigen Erfahrung als Unternehmer und Berater in den Bereichen Games, E-Sport, Blockchain, SaaS und Künstliche Intelligenz. Seine Beratungsschwerpunkte umfassen neben dem IT-Recht insbesondere das Urheberrecht, Medienrecht sowie Wettbewerbsrecht. Er betreut schwerpunktmäßig Start-ups, Agenturen und Influencer, die er in strategischen Fragen, komplexen Vertragsangelegenheiten sowie bei Investitionsprojekten begleitet. Dabei zeichnet sich seine Beratung durch einen interdisziplinären Ansatz aus, der juristische Expertise und langjährige unternehmerische Erfahrung miteinander verbindet. Ziel seiner Tätigkeit ist stets, Mandanten praxisorientierte Lösungen anzubieten und rechtlich fundierte Unterstützung bei der Umsetzung innovativer Geschäftsmodelle zu gewährleisten.