According to Mr. Ratibor Popov, founder of the Computer Sports Association and the OnlyMVP platform, the military had not previously valued e-sports, but through a special military campaign, they have seen the potential of games and gamers.
Mr. Popov believes that in the near future, international tournaments between armies of countries will be held. Recognizing tactical parallel matches as an official sport is in the final stages. I believe that by 2026, athletes will be awarded titles" - Mr. Popov said.
Representing the Central Military Region, a soldier nicknamed Mir believes that this sport has prospects if it is well developed, turning military gamers into real athletes. "It is necessary to promote the sport and enhance the status of soldiers" - Mir said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Roman Putin - organizer of the Russian Extreme Cross adventure sports race - commented: " Modern conditions such as powerful computers, large screens, good infrastructure have promoted the development of e-sports. This is a new direction to help young people, especially in remote areas, promote their abilities, earn income and build a career".
According to Ms.letta Vio fadeeva, Professor at the Russian Ministry of Home Affairs University ( Kaliningrad branch), video games practice coordination, discipline and autonomy. Counter-Strike 2 teaches players to listen to teammates, follow orders, and practice personal discipline. Research shows that CS2 players have a higher chance of survival, added fadeeva.
A Russian Army captain nicknamed Kostroma believes that adding games to military training is very useful, and affirms that "players have faster reflexes and better nerve connections".
Landist Kostroma notes that instead of CS2, airsoft or paintball, it would be more suitable, as they help assess how soldiers handle weapons in practice.
The above experts and soldiers' comments were made in the context of Russia organizing an e-sports tournament for soldiers from the Russian Ministry of Defense and many other law enforcement agencies.
The tournament took place continuously for 3 days, from October 8 to October 10, including 2 parts: E-sports and military training.
