Manama, Bahrain, October 23, 2025: The 3rd Asian Youth Games would have had a purpose-built Athletes’ Village if more time had been given to prepare for the Games, Bahrain Olympic Committee Secretary General Faris Mustafa Al Kooheji revealed on Thursday, October 23.
Responding to a question at the OCA-BAYGOC joint press conference, Al Kooheji, who is also the OCA Media Committee Chairman, said the organisation of the Games would have been so much easier if an Athletes’ Village had been built.
“If we had three or four years' notice to build an Athletes’ Village, we would have done so and it would have been easier than the onerous task we are facing now which is to transport over 4,000 athletes from 55 hotels around the city to competition and back. If they were in the same place, obviously the task would have been easier,” Al Kooheji said.
Bahrain was given short notice to prepare for the Games, after Uzbekistan had pulled out late last year from hosting the showpiece.
OCA Director General Husain Al Musallam praised the Bahrain Asian Youth Games Organising Committee, the Government and the Bahrain Olympic Committee for responding to the SOS call and putting on a grand show commencing with a memorable Opening Ceremony on Wednesday night.
“This Asian Youth Games was not planned like previous Games where the host city had six years to prepare after signing the contract. Bahrain had eight months and we have to thank the government, the BOC and BAYGOC for coming and helping save the Games,” Al Musallam pointed out.
“These Games were scheduled to be held in Uzbekistan. But they had issues and withdrew. And now eight months later we are here in this beautiful facility (Exhibition World Bahrain) which is hosting more than 10 sports. We have to thank Bahrain for a wonderful job,” Al Musallam added.
The OCA Director General ticked off the number of records the Bahrain AYG had set – for the first time all 45 National Olympic Committees were participating, the largest number of athletes, 4,074, an all-time AYG high of 26 sports and 232 events, 3,500 coaches and team officials, and finally the biggest media coverage with a record number of TV companies broadcasting live.
“The organising committee has done a wonderful job and on behalf of the OCA and the Asian Olympic Family, I would like to express my deepest admiration to the Kingdom of Bahrain for what they have done for future Asian Olympic champions,” Al Musallam noted.
Yousif Duaij, BAYGOC President, said: “It was challenging to be ready in eight months, but we did our best to make these Games one of its kind.”
