KAZAN, February 21. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin said the Games of the Future are Russia's gift to the global family of sports.

"We have always called for promoting sports and its high humanistic values. The Games of the Future are our gift to the global family of sports," he said at the tournament’s opening ceremony in Kazan.

Putin said the idea to blend together classical sports and esports was born in Russia. He noted that Russia is also the land of great scientists, designers, engineers, whose achievements opened new depths of knowledge to mankind.

"And now our research teams, companies reign supreme in digital technologies and adoption of artificial intelligence, the areas that are at the forefront of progress. And, of course, for centuries Russia has been famous for its generosity and hospitality, always ready to welcome friends, to treat them to a big colorful celebration, including the joy of sports," the president said.

Putin also said that he was proud of the efficient arrangements Russia made for sporting events, some of which were also held in Kazan.

"This city, as well as the whole of Tatarstan, is a complete match to the content, the spirit of the Games of the Future. Unique, multinational, rich in cultures of different peoples, it painstakingly preserves the heritage of its ancestors and at the same time is always open to the new, boldly undertakes the most complex innovative projects and brilliantly implements them. The sports sector is one of the examples of this," he said.