Manama Gears Up to Host 3rd Asian Youth Games in October 2025

The 3rd edition of the Asian Youth Games (AYG) is scheduled to be held in Manama, the capital city of Bahrain, from October 22 to 31, 2025. This marks the first time that Bahrain will host the prestigious continental multi-sport event, which is organized under the auspices of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). The Games will welcome young athletes aged between 14 and 18 from 45 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) across Asia, offering them a valuable platform to compete at an international level and prepare for future global competitions, particularly the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Dakar, Senegal, in 2026.

A total of 21 sports have been officially confirmed for the Games, including traditional Olympic disciplines such as athletics, swimming, judo, taekwondo, and table tennis, as well as contemporary and regionally significant sports such as esports, futsal, kabaddi, and camel racing. Notably, camel racing will make its debut as an officially recognized sport at the AYG, following its inclusion by the OCA. The athletics program alone will feature 44 events, including individual cross-country races for both men and women. Basketball 3x3 will host a men's dunk contest and a women's shootout, further enriching the event with youth-centric competitive formats.

In line with OCA regulations, athletes participating in sports that will be included in the 2026 Youth Olympic Games must be between 14 and 17 years old, while athletes in non-YOG sports can be up to 18 years of age. The event thus serves as both a developmental and qualifying opportunity for Asia’s top young athletes.

Key preparations for the Games are underway, with accreditation processes, technical meetings, and team welcome ceremonies scheduled to take place between April and October 2025. The Bahrain Asian Youth Games Organizing Committee (BAYGOC) is responsible for overseeing the planning and execution of the event. The committee is chaired by Mr. Tayyab Ikram, and includes prominent members from various Asian sports authorities, such as Dr. Thani Al Kuwari, HRH Prince Fahad Jalawi Al Saud, Mr. Ning Ding, Mr. Jeevan Ram Shrestha, Mr. Muhammadsho Abdulloev, Mr. Shahid Reza, Mr. Ata Akhammadov, Mr. Khalid Mahmood, and Mr. Sonam Karma Tshering.

The 3rd Asian Youth Games represent a significant milestone in Bahrain’s sporting history and underscore the nation's commitment to fostering youth development, regional cooperation, and sporting excellence. As the continent prepares for this highly anticipated event, the Games are expected to not only promote athletic achievement but also cultural exchange and unity among Asia’s emerging generation of sports leaders.