Dmitry Chernyshenko said the first edition of the new event would be held in 2023 ©Getty Images

Russia plans to host a multi-discipline event called "eSports Games of the Future" in 2023, according to Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko.

Under the proposals from the Russian Government, the event would include up to 15 "high-tech" disciplines such as esports, drone racing and virtual reality.

Chernyshenko, chief executive of the 2014 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Sochi, told Russia's official state news agency TASS  the Government was working towards announcing the venue for the event at the coronavirus-delayed SportAccord World Sport and Business Summit in Yekaterinburg next May.

He has talked up the hosting credentials of Saransk, located around 630 kilometres east of Moscow.

esports is among the 15 disciplines which are set to feature at the new event in Russia in 2023 ©Getty Images
esports is among the 15 disciplines which are set to feature at the new event in Russia in 2023 ©Getty Images

"Saransk has every chance to compete for the title of the host city of the event, which will be held in 2023," said Chernyshenko. 

"The selection will be conducted on a competitive basis, we will sum up the results in May next year. 

"I am confident that the movement will be able to capture the attention of the audience. 

"I think we can overcome the inertia of certain groups taken, stimulate the development of science and the best digital achievements.

"I think this will be a great addition to our traditional leadership in traditional sports."

The idea had first been mooted during the ninth international forum Russia - country of sports, held in September.