Countdown enters final week before Games begin
The wait is almost over. With just one week remaining until the curtain rises on the 3rd Asian Youth Games (AYG), Bahrain is in the final stretch of preparations to host one of the continent’s largest multi-sport events. Scheduled from October 22 to 31, the Games will welcome over 4,300 athletes aged 14 to 18 from 45 nations, competing across 26 sports and 253 events.
Held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Games mark Bahrain’s debut as host of a continental multi-sport competition—and its most ambitious sporting event to date. Beyond the medals, the AYG serves as a qualifying pathway to the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal. It is also the first edition since Nanjing 2013, following cancellations in 2017 and 2021.
Final Preparations Underway
On Monday, HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of the General Sports Authority, and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, inspected final preparations at Bahrain National Stadium. HH Shaikh Khalid reviewed the readiness of the athletics track, VIP platform, spectator stands, media platform, athletes’ changing rooms, and all other facilities and services. He was accompanied by senior officials including HH Shaikh Salman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, HH Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa, BOC Secretary-General Faris Al Kooheji, and Yousef Duaij, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Third AYG.
“The readiness of venues is one of the key factors for success,” HH Shaikh Khalid said, praising the pace of progress and reaffirming Bahrain’s commitment to delivering “an event that reflects the Kingdom’s growing sporting stature.”
Bahrain’s Squads Confirmed
The Bahrain Olympic Committee has confirmed the Kingdom’s participation in five sports — athletics, 3×3 basketball, jiu-jitsu, badminton, and E-sports.
– Men’s 3×3 basketball: Somto Patrick Onoduenyi, Hassan Abdulkadir, Divine Tochukwu Abochi, Ali Hussain Mahdi, Yousif Meshaei, Hussain Fuad Ghuloom; coached by Bogdan Dragovic (Serbia) and Bahraini assistant Murtadha Mohammed
– Athletics: Salah Rashid, Yousef Ayman Rizq, Talal Al Dossary, Maryam Ateeq, competing in sprints, middle distance, and cross-country
– Jiu-jitsu: Pedro Bisi de Jesus, Yousif Mercer, Hamad Fuad Waheed.
– Badminton: Ali Ashoor, Fatima Ebrahim
– E-sports: Captained by Hussain Al Jowder
Competition Schedule and Venues
Although the opening ceremony is set for October 22 at Exhibition World Bahrain—the first indoor inauguration in AYG history—some competitions begin earlier. Boys’ futsal, handball, and volleyball start on October 19, followed by girls’ futsal, kabaddi, teqball, and beach volleyball on October 21.
Events will take place across 12 venues nationwide. Isa Sports City will host athletics, boys’ and girls’ volleyball, badminton, and kabaddi, while Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB) will stage boxing, teqball, judo, taekwondo, mixed martial arts, jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, wrestling, kabaddi, and E-sports. The Bahrain National Stadium will host track and field events. Other venues include the Royal Golf Club for golf, the Military Sports Association for combat sports, the NBH Loop for cycling, Umm Alhassam Sports Hall for handball, and the Bahrain Endurance Village for equestrian competitions.
Early Matchups
Group draws for futsal, handball, and volleyball were conducted at the Gulf Hotel, attended by Yusuf Duaij and senior OCA officials. Bahrain’s boys’ handball team will open against Hong Kong-China on October 19, with matches against Maldives, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia to follow.
Following withdrawals from India, Qatar, and Uzbekistan, a revised draw on October 9 at the Asian Handball Federation HQ in Kuwait created two groups:
– Group A: Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Maldives, Hong Kong-China
– Group B: Kuwait, Iran, China, UAE, Thailand, Kazakhstan
A Legacy in Motion
Bahrain has been a consistent participant in the Asian Youth Games since its inception, winning bronze medals in athletics at both the 2009 Singapore and 2013 Nanjing editions. This time, as host nation, Bahrain will give its next generation a platform while confirming its readiness to stage a major multi-sport event in record time.
