Mansour bin Mohammed Attends Thrilling Inauguration of Bahrain's Asian Youth Games

The UAE delegation of 152 young athletes kicked off their campaign at the third Asian Youth Games in Bahrain, with Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum leading the charge as head of the National Olympic Committee. The games bring together over 5,000 athletes from 45 countries competing across 26 sports until October 31.

King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain received Sheikh Mansour and delegation heads at Sakhir Palace before the opening ceremony at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre. This marks the first time in the games' history that the opening ceremony was held indoors.

The UAE team is competing in 19 different sports, from traditional athletics and swimming to modern additions like esports and MMA. The delegation includes 107 male and 45 female athletes, with flag bearers Ali Al Kaabi from triathlon and Sheikha Al Ketbi from taekwondo leading the parade.

Sheikh Mansour emphasized the significance of youth sports development, noting that these games serve as a stepping stone to next year's Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal. He praised the UAE's young athletes for their dedication and the countless training hours they put in to represent their country.

The UAE handball team has already seen mixed results, losing their opener to China but bouncing back with a convincing 35-27 victory over Kazakhstan in Group Two, which also includes Kuwait, Iran, and Thailand.

Nine UAE national teams arrived in Bahrain two days before the ceremony, including equestrian jumping, athletics, Muay Thai, basketball, triathlon, taekwondo, golf, boxing, and MMA squads. The official flag-raising ceremony took place at the exhibition center as part of the pre-competition protocol.

The games represent more than just competition for the UAE. Sheikh Mansour highlighted how youth sports receive full support from the country's leadership, viewing these international competitions as crucial for developing the next generation of Olympic athletes. The timing is particularly important as it comes ahead of several major sporting events on the Olympic calendar.

Bahrain's hosting efforts have drawn praise from participating nations. The indoor venue choice reflects practical considerations for the region's climate while maintaining the ceremonial importance of the opening event. With 26 sports on the program, the games showcase both traditional Asian sports and newer Olympic disciplines.