Russian President Vladimir Putin has voiced his opinion that sports should be free from political interference, as they aim to promote harmony and friendship among people, not to cause conflicts and divisions. He made this remark during a meeting with Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who attended the Games of the Future, a major international multi-game tournament held in Kazan, Russia.

Putin thanked Tokayev for his support and participation in the Games of the Future, which he said was a humanitarian project that showcased the talent and potential of young people from different backgrounds and cultures. He stressed that sports should be a tool for dialogue and cooperation, not for confrontation and isolation.

He praised the diversity and inclusiveness of the Games of the Future, which featured over 100 countries from various continents, competing in five categories: sports, tactics, strategy, technology, and speed. The categories included both e-sports and traditional sports, such as Dota 2, Mobile Legends, chess, table tennis, and badminton.

The Russian leader observed that the opening ceremony of the event attracted fans of both e-sports and traditional sports, reflecting the changing preferences and interests of the younger generation. He expressed his hope that the event would have a positive impact on the development of new sports and the promotion of healthy lifestyles. He also applauded the event for combining e-sports, which can be played while sitting, with physical sports that require movement, calling it a “very good” initiative.