Ulaanbaatar
Asian Youth Games 2025 to Be Held in the Kingdom of Bahrain
Sports
Ulaanbaatar, May 28, 2025 /MONTSAME/. The 3rd Asian Youth Games are set to begin in Manama, the Kingdom of Bahrain, on October 22-31, 2025.
Athletes from 45 countries, which are members of the Olympic Council of Asia, will compete in 24 sporting disciplines over the course of 10 days. The Games are designated for athletes aged 14 to 18. This edition marks a significant return after a 12-year hiatus, with the previous Games held in Singapore in 2009 and Nanjing, the People's Republic of China, in 2013.
The Youth Games precede the “Dakar 2026” Youth Olympic Games and are expected to help young athletes improve their preparation and competitiveness. In this context, IOC Member and President of the Mongolian National Olympic Committee Battushig Batbold visited the Kingdom of Bahrain to review the ongoing preparations and engage in meetings with local officials.
For the first time, Mongolia is planning to send an athlete to compete in the Olympic equestrian discipline. Additionally, the MNOC’s working group for esports will select and send participants for the esports category. Studies are also underway to send an athlete to the camel racing.
At the inaugural Games held in Singapore, Mongolia was represented by 27 athletes, though none reached the podium. In contrast, the 2013 Games in Nanjing saw an expanded Mongolian delegation of 65 athletes, who secured three bronze medals. For the upcoming 3rd Asian Youth Games, the Mongolian team will be led by Chief of the Cabinet Secretariat of Mongolia Uchral Nyam-Osor.
Notably, the Kingdom of Bahrain was granted hosting rights after the event faced two prior cancellations. The Games were originally planned for Shantou, the People's Republic of China, in 2021 and later for Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in 2025; both editions were ultimately called off.
