Asian Youth Games to Launch Indoors at EWB

TDT | Manama

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

The third Asian Youth Games (AYG), set to be held in Bahrain later this year, will officially open on October 22 with a landmark indoor ceremony at Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB) in Sakhir. This is the first time the AYG opening event will be held inside a venue, diverging from the outdoor traditions of the editions in Singapore (2009) and Nanjing, China (2013).

Over 4,000 Athletes Expected

Held under the royal patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, this year’s AYG will welcome more than 4,000 athletes, boys and girls aged 14 to 18, from 45 National Olympic Committees. It will also serve as a qualification platform for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal.

EWB to Present Bahrain

The chosen venue, EWB, is one of the Middle East’s newest and largest exhibition centres, inaugurated in late 2022. Spanning 149,000 square metres, it includes a main hall with seating for 4,000 and modern facilities designed to host high-profile international events. Organisers promise a unique ceremony featuring performances that reflect Bahraini identity and hospitality, with more details to be revealed in the lead-up to the Games.

Sports and Scheduling

A total of 24 sports have been approved by the Olympic Council of Asia and the AYG organising committee, ranging from traditional disciplines like athletics and swimming to emerging events such as E-sports and camel racing. Seven sports will begin before the opening ceremony—boys’ futsal, handball, and volleyball start October 19, while girls’ futsal, kabaddi, teqball, and beach volleyball begin October 21. The Games will conclude on October 31 with swimming finals and the official closing ceremony.