Manama, Bahrain, July 9, 2025: Lounes Madene, Chairman of the Technical Committee for the 3rd Asian Youth Games, has confirmed the completion of the final sports programme for the upcoming event, which will be hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain from October 22 to 31, 2025.
This edition of the AYG marks the first time Bahrain will host the event, featuring 24 sports and participation from 45 countries and regions competing in a total of 253 events, including 124 for male athletes and 114 for female athletes.
Madene stated that the AYG would officially open on October 22, but seven events will commence prior to the opening ceremony. These include men's futsal, handball and volleyball starting on October 19, followed by women's futsal, kabaddi, teqball and beach volleyball on October 21.
He noted that the final day of the AYG, October 31, will only feature the men's and women's swimming events and its award presentation, alongside the closing ceremony.
The Games are designed for athletes aged 14 to 18 and will serve as qualifying events for the Youth Olympic Games to be held in Dakar in 2026.
The Olympic Council of Asia and the organizing committee have approved 24 sports for the event, which includes swimming, athletics, badminton, 3x3 basketball, boxing, camel racing, cycling, equestrian, esports, indoor football, golf, handball, jiu-jitsu, judo, kabaddi, mixed martial arts, Muay Thai, table tennis, taekwondo, teqball, triathlon, volleyball, weightlifting, and wrestling.