Manila: The third Asian Youth Games (AYG) officially commenced in Bahrain, bringing together a gathering of over 4,000 young athletes from 45 Asian countries and regions. The event, taking place from October 22 to 31, features a record 26 sports and 232 events, marking it as the largest edition in AYG history.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Games will see a total of 4,074 athletes-comprising 2,425 men and 1,649 women-participating, surpassing the 2,413 participants at the 2013 Nanjing Games and the 1,321 at the inaugural Singapore Games in 2009. The opening ceremony, held in the Sakhir area, was officiated by Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who declared the Games open.

Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the First Deputy Chairman of the Bahrain Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, highlighted the event’s significance as a bridge between people and a source of pride for Asia’s young generation. He emphasized the Games as a platform for identifying future Olympic athletes who will represent the continent. He also noted the milestone nature of the competitions for Asian sports and credited Bahrain’s rapid organization of the event to the collaborative efforts of all involved parties.

Timothy Fok, First Vice President of the Olympic Council of Asia, praised Bahrain for reviving the Games with only eight months of preparation. He referred to the event as the largest youth games ever, symbolizing Asia’s unity and energy, and expressed gratitude to all contributors, including spectators, volunteers, sponsors, and media. Fok underscored the importance of the friendships formed during the Games, stating that they will endure beyond the competitions.