Kuwait City, Kuwait, March 5, 2025: The Olympic Council of Asia has announced the sports, age requirements and key dates for the 3rd Asian Youth Games to be held in Bahrain this October.
In a letter to the Presidents and Secretary Generals of the OCA’s 45 National Olympic Committees, OCA Director General Husain Al Musallam says the decisions have been taken in collaboration with the Bahrain Asian Youth Games Organizing Committee.
The 3rd AYG, which will run from October 22-31, 2025, will feature 24 sports. These include camel racing after the OCA last month officially recognized the World Camelids Sports as the governing body of camel racing in Asia. Only one event is planned at this stage.
“The OCA has also decided to restrict the age limit to 14 to 17 years for the sports that are included in the competition programme of the Dakar Youth Olympic Games in 2026, so that the athletes can compete in the YOG in Dakar,” said Mr. Al Musallam.
“However, for the sports which are not in Dakar, the age limit will be increased to 18.”
The athletics programme, with 44 events, includes individual cross-country races for women and men, while the 3x3 basketball includes a dunk contest for men and shootout for women.
Age Categories
Youth Olympic Games Sports in Dakar 2026
Age 14 – 17 years old – Born in 2008 – 2009 – 2010 - 2011
Athletics, Badminton, Basketball 3x3, Boxing, Cycling (Road), Equestrian Jumping, Football (Futsal), Judo, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Triathlon, Freestyle Wrestling (Beach)
Non-YOG Sports in Dakar 2026
Age 15 – 18 years old – Born in 2007 - 2008 – 2009 – 2010
Camel Racing, Equestrian Endurance, E-Sports, Golf, Handball (Indoor), Jiu-Jitsu, Kabaddi, MMA, Muay, Teqball, Volleyball (Indoor), Freestyle Wrestling (Indoor), Weightlifting
Key dates include:
April 1 to June 31, E-accreditation system open (submission of long list for accreditation application)
May 13-14, 1st Technical Delegates Meeting
May 15-17, Chefs de Mission Seminar
July 1 to August 1, NOC visits
July 15 to August 14, Entry by Name, online system open (short list)
August 31 to September 1: 2nd Technical Delegates Meeting
September 2, Draw for Team Sports
September 3, 2nd CDM Meeting
October 17 – 22, Team Welcome Ceremonies
