The Montenegro Future Festival (MFF), an event gathering participants from the fields of gaming, technology, esports, science and innovation, was held last weekend in Bar.
At the opening ceremony, the President of the Montenegrin Olympic Committee, Dušan Simonović, addressed the audience, highlighting the importance of connecting sport with modern technologies, particularly in the context of new generations and the development of the sport of the future.
“Modern sport and technology have always evolved together. From the first electronic timing systems at the Olympic Games, through real-time performance analysis, to digital tools that today shape the way athletes train, compete and inspire—technology has never been separate from modern sport. It has always been its partner,” said Simonović.
The MOC President also emphasised that the Montenegrin Olympic Committee was among the first National Olympic Committees, not only in Europe but more broadly, to open space for esports to find its place within the Olympic family, with full respect for Olympic values. He noted that such an approach would not have been possible without strong cooperation with the International Esports Federation and the national esports federation.
On the final day of the festival, the panel “Redefining Sport: How Digital Innovation is Changing the Game” was held, featuring Jelena Dubljević (WNBA champion), Kerrith Brown (President of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation), Vlad Marinescu (President of the International Esports Federation), Predrag Perković (Chief Commercial Officer of Crnogorski Telekom) and Maja Peković, Deputy Secretary General of the Montenegrin Olympic Committee. The panel was moderated by Ognjen Drašković, President of the Esports Association of Serbia.
Peković pointed out that within the Olympic movement there is a clear distinction between esports that simulate physical sports, such as virtual sailing or cycling, and pure competitive gaming. She emphasised that the key question has never been the relevance of esports, but its alignment with Olympic values. As she noted, the relationship between the Olympic movement and esports continues to evolve, but it is no longer a question of whether esports belongs within the sports ecosystem, but rather how to integrate it while respecting the principles of fair play, inclusivity, integrity and athlete safeguarding.
“For small countries such as Montenegro, esports represents an important point of contact with a generation that may be moving away from the Olympic ecosystem. This is important. At the same time, there is a responsibility to ensure that any inclusion is aligned with safeguarding standards, ethical frameworks and the long-term well-being of athletes,” said Peković.
The Montenegro Future Festival confirmed that Montenegro is actively participating in the global discussion on the future of sport, bringing together relevant international stakeholders and creating space for dialogue on topics shaping the sports system of the future.
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