Manama: The Kingdom of Bahrain is gearing up to host the third Asian Youth Games from October 22 to 31, under the patronage of King Hamad Al-Khalifa. The event will see participation from over 5,000 athletes representing 45 Asian Olympic Committees. These athletes will compete in 24 sports covering 31 categories and 253 unique events.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre will be the main venue for the games, marking a return after a hiatus of more than a decade since the games were last held in Singapore in 2009 and Nanjing in 2013. The competitions will also be hosted at various sports facilities across Bahrain, including Isa Sports City and Khalifa Sport City, along with newly renovated stadiums equipped with advanced systems.
The Olympic Council of Asia and the Organizing Committee have sanctioned 24 sports for the event. The Executive Committee has also introduced the Games’ mascots “Najm” and “Dana,” who will act as ambassadors of Bahraini hospitality to welcome the Asian delegations. For the first time in Bahrain, artificial intelligence will be employed in sports commentary for some competitions, highlighting the adoption of technological innovations in the media field.
Local, Arab, and international media are preparing to cover the Games extensively. Bahrain is positioning the event as an opportunity to boost tourism and attract thousands of visitors from various Asian countries. The Games are also expected to temporarily boost the hospitality and domestic tourism sectors, create temporary job opportunities in the private sector, and revive service activities related to the event.
The Asian Youth Games, held every four years, is a significant multi-sport event organized under the supervision of the Olympic Council of Asia and is considered the second-largest continental sporting event after the regular Asian Games. According to the tournament’s technical committee, the upcoming tournament will cater to athletes aged 14 to 18 and will serve as a qualifier for the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, in 2026.