Conceptualizing the Social Inclusion Potential of Esport to Support Future Sport for Development Agendas: A Capabilities Perspective

Abstract

Drawing on the capabilities approach to position esport within the Sport for Development (SfD) context, this paper highlights the social inclusion drivers of virtual engagement through esport as an innovative approach to progress current SfD methodologies. We present a new conceptual model in response to calls for enhanced theoretical understanding within SfD and specifically expose how esport can be used as a mechanism to support human development and inclusion outcomes. We focus specifically on gender equality as an exemplar of a prominent development objective; however, the model has applicability to any social inclusion related development aim. This paper proposes that esport should be welcomed as a new digital mechanism by policy makers, funders, and practitioners, as we indicate how this new conceptual model could be operationalized to aid SfD policy and practice.