Running from February 21 to March 3, the tournament showcased 21 innovative physical disciplines blending digital and traditional sports, drawing over 2,000 participants aged 12 to 62, forming 294 teams. With a prize pool of $10 million, the event highlighted developments in game development, e-sports, robotics, augmented and virtual reality, and artificial intelligence.
Among the 236 winners and prize-winners were athletes from various countries including Russia, China, India, and Kazakhstan. Kazakhstanis impressed across 13 disciplines, bringing home a commendable haul of medals, affirming their prowess in the emerging sports landscape.
Minister of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Ermek Marzhikpayev, praised the nation’s performance, pledging continued support for e-sports infrastructure development. The triumph of the xGOD team, securing victory in Counter-Strike 2 and laser tag, underscored Kazakhstan’s growing presence on the global e-sports stage, earning them a substantial $175 thousand prize.
Kazakhstani Dota2 teams showcased resilience, advancing to the quarterfinals, while Cyber Barys made a notable run to the 1/8 finals in physical hockey. Additionally, Young team coach Alim Rakhmetov led his squad to victory, claiming $87.5 thousand, and Adil Eldosov’s Absolute team emerged triumphant in the Standoff discipline.
Reflecting on Kazakhstan’s achievements, Kuanyshbek Esekeyev, President of the Kazakhstan E-Sports Federation, lauded the nation’s Counter-Strike legacy and emphasized the significance of the substantial prize pool in elevating the stature of e-sports globally.
Since e-sports gained official recognition in 2018 and the establishment of the ESports Federation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the nation’s e-sports infrastructure has experienced rapid growth, hosting numerous tournaments, including international ones.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s proposal to host the next “Games of the Future” in Kazakhstan further underscores the country’s commitment to fostering excellence in sports innovation and development.
