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The World Phygital Community continues to expand through the work of its members, with organizations across the network helping introduce and develop phygital sport within their local ecosystems.
This feature is the next in a series of interviews with WPC members about their experiences, challenges and initiatives. Gastón García, President of the Uruguayan Association of Virtual Sports, shares his perspective as one of the early supporters of the phygital movement globally. From his first encounter with the phygital concept to clubs from Uruguay competing at the Games of the Future, he reflects on the evolution of the movement in his country. He also discusses the milestones achieved so far, and the ambitions to further develop a competitive and sustainable ecosystem. His experience highlights both the opportunities and the challenges of building phygital sport in a smaller market, while reinforcing Uruguay’s growing presence within the global movement.
You were among the early supporters of the phygital movement globally. What first convinced you of its potential, and how was the concept initially received in Uruguay?
Being involved in Phygital from the very beginning and taking part in the first Games of the Future was undoubtedly very important for us.
When I received the proposal, I could imagine what it might look like, but I did not fully understand the discipline yet. Still, I felt there was something different about it compared to other tournaments, and I wanted to experience it for myself. In the end, it exceeded my expectations in the best possible way.
At the beginning, we had to move quickly in order to take part in the first qualifier for the Games of the Future. We presented the proposal to Peñarol, a club that had been working with us in esports for years and also had an established football structure. The idea was received very positively by Peñarol, and it ultimately led to the best possible outcome: qualification for the first Games of the Future and the championship title for them.
You believed from the beginning in phygital sport. Do you see this as an evolution of traditional sport, or a completely new category, and where does Uruguay fit within that future?
There is no doubt in my mind that phygital tournaments represent a major shift in the future of sport, and I am delighted to have been part of this movement from the very beginning, to help develop it in my country.
I believe phygital sport is something entirely new. It brings together the best elements of esports and traditional sport, while creating a format where both sides are equally important. Success depends on the strength of the team as a whole. A strong performance in the digital stage can create an advantage, but it still needs to be maintained in the physical stage, and vice versa.
I believe that in Uruguay, the format has been successful. We have already organized two Phygital Rivals forPhygital Football and one for Phygital Cancing. Our goal is to continue expanding the ecosystem through more tournaments and disciplines, both at an official competitive level and through training, talent scouting, and promotional initiatives.
Looking back at your early support for the phygital movement, what moment made you feel that this was no longer an experiment, but the future of global sport?
I clearly remember watching the first match before competing. Experiencing the atmosphere inside the venue and seeing fans asking players for photos and autographs, was something truly special.
At the end of that first match, I remember going up to one of the organizers and saying, word by word: “Who was the person behind this idea? Because they are truly a genius.”
Phygital manages to capture, in just the right amount of time, the excitement of both an esports match and a football match at the same time,combining the scores from both stages to determine the winner, within a timeframe that is perfectly designed to make every match genuinely exciting from beginning to end.
As one of the pioneers in this space, what have been the main challenges in developing phygital sport in Uruguay?
Without a doubt, being involved from the very first steps of phygital helped us truly understand the nature of the sport. It gave us the opportunity to think about the best way to unite these two worlds, and how to build a team with real chances of competing.
On the other hand, in Uruguay, everything always takes a little more effort. We are a small country with a limited population and market, but that has never stopped us. With every edition, we continue to aim to create opportunities for Uruguayan athletes and teams to compete and show what we are made of.
There is a strong competitive level here, and a real desire to show the world that, with organization and determination, Uruguay can be placed firmly on the map.
What specific initiatives or programs have you introduced to grow phygital sport and engage both athletes and the wider community in Uruguay?
We believe that it is always important to take steps that may be slow, but are solid and well planned.
When we first brought Phygital Rivals to Uruguay, we focused only on Phygital Football, with eight teams taking part in what became a very successful tournament. Everyone was very happy with their participation and with the overall experience.
The tournament took place at Palacio Peñarol, one of the most important event venues in the country, which undoubtedly added more value. It is a venue where people do not usually have the chance to play, so that made the experience even more special.
In the next season of Phygital Rivals, we added Phygital Dancing in order to expand the competition and create new opportunities for participation. Looking ahead to next year, we are planning to incorporate Phygital Basketball organizing three disciplines in total.
At the same time, we are activating several national-level phygital initiatives that will undoubtedly continue to help the discipline grow, attracting new participants and teams.
Is there a particular format, initiative, or achievement in Uruguay’s phygital ecosystem that you are especially proud of?
I am undoubtedly very proud to be part of the phygital ecosystem and to see it continue to grow, welcoming members from new countries along the way.
Personally, having the possibility for athletes and teams from our country to go out and compete makes me very happy. It gives us the chance to show the world what we are made of.
I believe that, from a historical perspective, Peñarol winning the first edition of the Games of the Future is without question a remarkable achievement. Winning the final in a completely new sport against a local team made the moment even more special, and it will always remain part of the competition’s history.
At the same time, being able to organize official tournaments and continue creating opportunities for more people to become involved in phygital sport is something I am incredibly proud of. It is rewarding to see the ecosystem continue growing through the work we have been building over time.
Looking ahead, what role do you see Uruguay playing in the global development of the Games of the Future and the wider phygital movement?
I believe that, as a country, we hold an important place within the Games of the Future, having already been part of all three editions. For a small country like Uruguay, this carries even greater value.
We believe in the development of phygital and we are working to gradually grow within it. Without a doubt, we feel very comfortable with the organization, and from wherever we can, we always want to contribute our small part to the future of the Games of the Future.
Uruguay has secured qualification in Phygital Football for the Games of the Future in Astana, while also having a female athlete qualify in Phygital Dancing for the Contenders. How significant is this achievement for the country?
It is something very significant for us. Peñarol, as the Phygital Football champion, together with the strong work the club has been doing to achieve this representation, and the level of tournaments we organize through the association, led us to this direct qualification in Phygital Football.
We are very excited about the level the players can show in this new tournament, knowing that once again a champion of this discipline will be present.
Regarding Phygital Dancing, it was also very satisfying to secure a place in the Phygital Contenders, especially because it was our first tournament in Phygital Dancing. We hope that our representative, Victoria Cama, can earn her place at the Games of the Future, so we can continue promoting and developing phygital in Uruguay.
With these qualifications, what opportunities do you believe phygital sport creates for young athletes and gamers in Uruguay?
We have already seen that in our second Phygital Rivals tournament, the standard and overall level of competition improved. Within Uruguay, the teams have improved significantly, and they all share the goal of becoming local champions in order to compete at the Games of the Future.
We understand that, year after year, the level will continue to rise, as athletes become more familiar with the discipline, the rules, and everything that comes with competing in this format.
In addition to this, as I briefly mentioned before, we are working on something that will undoubtedly help strengthen our Phygital Rivals tournaments with even better teams. But I will leave that story for when we are ready to launch it.
