NOVO-OGAREVO, March 14. /TASS/. Russia was the first country to host a large-scale multi-sports phygital (physical+digital) tournament, dubbed the Games of the Future, Russian President Vladimir Putin has stressed.

"I would like to thank all those who were involved in preparing and holding the Games of the Future," Putin said at a meeting with members of the Cabinet.

He remarked that his attitude to the tournament had been positive from the outset and it was his sincere wish to see the participants enjoy the event, but still suspected it would be "some kind of very light, modern, entertaining program."

"It turned out to be a very serious event, though," Putin emphasized.

"These are really the games of the future. Hundreds of millions watched them. But what’s important is that we were the first to organize an event of this scale. This, of course, is great, thrilling and, in my opinion, promising," Putin stressed.

He thanked Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko for his role and asked that the organizers be recognized.

The Games of the Future were held in Kazan from February 21 to March 3. The main program included 16 disciplines, and the expanded program, another five. Most of them combine cybersports and traditional sports. More than 2,000 contestants took part.