Aug. 27, Manama (BNA): The Executive Committee announced final preparations for hosting the 3rd Asian Youth Games (AYG) at a press conference at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, which was sponsored by His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of the General Sports Authority, and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC).
Bahrain unveils mascot “Shahab”, over 6,000 athletes from 45 NOC sign up for 3rd AYG
His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa is the patron of the event, which will be held in the Kingdom of Bahrain from October 22 to October 31, 2025.
His Majesty A member of the organizing committee and the vice president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) for the Asian Youth Games, Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa, greeted guests and sent HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad’s greetings.
“We are approximately two months away from the launch of the Asian Youth Games, which will be held for the first time in the Kingdom of Bahrain, with 6,000 male and female athletes representing 45 National Olympic committees (NOC) competing in 24 sports,” he stated.
“We affirm that we are prepared to host the Games with this press conference. Despite the tight timeline, which has presented a substantial barrier, we have made tremendous progress in achieving all requirements. However, the work has moved more quickly thanks to the efforts of the executive committee, the organizing committee, and other governmental bodies.
HH Shaikh Isa bin Ali expressed gratitude to the OCA for helping to organize the event. Additionally, he expressed gratitude to the media, working groups, sponsors, and partners.
The OCA Coordination Committee Chair, Tayyab Ikram, said he was confident Bahrain could host the Games smoothly. “Despite the limited amount of time Bahrain has been given to host, positive progress is being made,” he said. We value Bahrain’s efforts to advance the Asian Olympic movement, and we have no doubt that it will organize a remarkable tournament in every way.”
The Vice President of the OCA for West Asia, Dr. Thani Al Kuwari, thanked Bahrain for agreeing to host the Games in spite of organizational and logistical difficulties. He praised the efforts made to plan the event using the best standards possible.
The Executive Committee Chair, Yousef Duaij, gave a thorough introduction of “Shahab,” the official mascot of the Games. The Arabian oryx represents Bahrain’s common qualities of vigor, strength, resilience, and ambition as well as the spirit of youth. By symbolizing the host’s rich desert legacy and encouraging young people to succeed in both sports and life, “Shahab” bridges the gap between tradition and the future. “Shahab” is derived from a prevalent traditional name in the Middle East and Gulf, especially Bahrain.
Two more mascots, “Najm” and “Dana,” were also added by the Executive Committee to greet Asian delegations with warmth. They spread messages of positivity and hope while acting as ambassadors of Bahraini hospitality.
At the press briefing, the Games’ medals and torch were also unveiled.
Duaij provided data on the forthcoming athletic event. There will be 23 locations for the events, including three main sites and more than 30 training grounds. Athletes, coaches, officials, journalists, and medical personnel will all be among the 6,000 attendees.
The Executive Committee made contracts with the three primary hotels for the event during the conference: Swiss-Belhotel, Gulf Hotel (heads of delegations), and The Art Hotel (VIPs).
HH Shaikh Isa bin Ali formally launched the Games’ website as the event came to an end.
