Behind the phygital sports action: A game plan for better health and a tech-driven future

SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)

Is it possible to combine tech-driven games with physical competition to create a next-gen sports showcase that appeals to people across generations? Abu Dhabi's Games of the Future has emerged as the answer, according to Nis Hatt, CEO of UAE-based Phygital International.

Speaking to Aletihad on the sidelines of the event, Hatt said the concept of "phygital" sport was born out of shifting audience behaviour. Traditional sports, he explained, are facing an ageing fan base and declining viewership, while younger generations are increasingly drawn to digital and interactive platforms.

"The idea came up: Why don't we merge the two? You take the traditional sport and mirror it on a technological, esports-driven platform," Hatt said.

"Games of the Future is simply a blend or integration between technology and physical sports."

Health was another key driver behind the concept. As more young people trade on-field sports for video games, the risks associated with sedentary lifestyles become more pronounced, he noted.

"People sit there and do not exercise - so it is not only about sitting and gaming," Hatt said, explaining that merging e-games with traditional sports is meant to get people moving.

It is this fusion that sets the Games of the Future apart from other technology-led competitions. Hatt believes Abu Dhabi offers the ideal environment for the concept to grow.

"When you are here in the UAE, and in Abu Dhabi in particular, you can feel how much [tech development] is going on," he said, pointing to advancements in artificial intelligence, aeronautics, and autonomous technologies.

At Yas Marina Circuit, for example, autonomous racing technology is already approaching human performance levels, he added. Such developments, Hatt said, reflect Abu Dhabi's technological ambition, driven by strong leadership and a long-term vision.

"The UAE, and Abu Dhabi in particular, has made significant progress, which is why we felt Games of the Future would be well received and embraced," he said.

Hatt is confident this next-generation sports model will continue to gain traction locally and globally.

"For anyone who has the opportunity, come here and see what this really is," he said. "Seeing is believing. You need to feel the energy and dynamics in Abu Dhabi."

Powered by ADNOC, Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025 runs until December 23 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi. The event brings together more than 850 participants from 60 countries under the theme "Next Gen Human. Play the Future".

Organised by ASPIRE, the event is delivered in collaboration with Ethara and Phygital International, the global rights holder, with support from key stakeholders.

Health Goes Phygital 

Beyond sports, Hatt highlighted how the UAE is integrating innovation into everyday life to promote a balanced lifestyle.

"You have built bicycle racetracks into the desert. The leadership here is embracing technology to make sure the population lives a healthy life," he said.

At a time when technology increasingly keeps people - especially the youth - confined to their couches, phygital sports are designed to get people moving in an engaging and enjoyable way.

"It is important to stay fit and take care of your body, because we all have families, children, and parents, and we want them to be healthy and live longer," Hatt said.

Physical fitness must go hand in hand with mental wellbeing and creativity, he added.