I've never bought into the "gaming is a sport" thing. Yes gaming needs decent reflexes and skills but sitting on your arse playing Counter-Strike never struck me us up there with running a marathon or scoring the winning goal against Pompey when it comes to sporting achievements. I could be wrong though. Let's face it darts and snooker are hardly tests of physical endurance. And I have no doubt that I'd get thrashed at Counter-Strike, Warcraft III and all the other aging PC games normally played competitively. Sensible World of Soccer is a different story mind.
Anyway, maybe, just maybe, there is something to this sports gaming thing. Today the UK eSports Association (UKeSA) – no, me neither, although they are apparently the official governing body for competitive gaming in the UK - launched the first official UK videogaming tournament. Interestingly consoles games are finally included. Historically these tournaments have tended to be PC only and despite all the arguments – and I have a lot of time for PC gaming – watching or playing games on your PC will NEVER be sexy to anyone outside the hardcore. Console gaming though has a chance of attracting a wider audience – heck, even the Wii is included. See for yourself… The games you can compete in are:

PC Games
Counter-Strike: Source
Day of Defeat: Source
Counter-Strike: Condition Zero
Counter-Strike 1.6
Team Fortress 2
Warcraft III: The frozen Throne
Call of Duty 4 – Modern Warfare
Company of Heroes
FIFA09

Nintendo Wii
Super Smash Brothers Brawl
Mario Kart Wii

Xbox 360
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
Gears of War 2
FIFA 09
Guitar Hero 3
Rainbow Six Vegas 2
Forza Motorsport 2
Halo 3

PlayStation 3
FIFA 09
Rainbow Six Vegas 2
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Pro Evolution Soccer 2009

Players can sign up until midnight on the 25th Jan.

Fancy it then? And if so, which game should they add to this list that would give you a chance of winning? Or do you remain unconvinced by the whole esports thing.