"MP advocate halts support for the lavish gathering in Kazakhstan, amounting to 62 billion"
The 'Games of the Future', an international multi-sport event that combines traditional and digital (esports) disciplines, is scheduled to take place from 18 July to 1 August 2026 in the capital of Kazakhstan. However, Deputy Sergei Ponamarev has proposed to postpone the tournament due to the current economic conditions.
The tournament, which was granted to Kazakhstan in October 2024, is estimated to cost around 62 billion tenge. This cost, according to Deputy Ponamarev, is equivalent to that of at least six modern schools. Given the republican budget's shortfall of 570.8 billion tenge in revenue in 2024, primarily due to a decrease in tax revenues, spending such a large sum on the tournament is not considered reasonable.
The Deputy believes the tournament is crucial for the development of the IT sector and the country's image. However, he suggests postponing the event for several years to allow Kazakhstan to prepare more thoroughly. The proposed postponement is due to the lack of funds and the current economic situation.
The 'Games of the Future' is not the first major event to face potential postponement or cancellation due to financial concerns. The 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo were postponed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
If the country is provisionally excluded from hosting the 'Games of the Future' 2026, the Youth Olympic Games Organizing Committee plans to use the revenues for six modern schools. This shows the potential benefits that could be derived from the tournament, should the economic conditions improve.
The initial event for the 'Games of the Future' took place in the UAE in 2025. If the tournament is postponed, it remains to be seen where and when it will take place in the future. The decision on the proposed postponement is yet to be made.
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