The first day of the competitions of the Third Asian Youth Games “Bahrain 2025” witnessed a strong start characterized by great enthusiasm and a high level of competition among the Asian delegations, as the teams began to win the first medals among 15 sports competitions held throughout the day, in a number of sports sites spread around the Kingdom of Bahrain, amid a distinguished organizational atmosphere and integrated equipment that reflects the Kingdom’s readiness to host this major continental event that is held under High Royal Sponsorship of the Asian event.
The opening day produced exciting results that reflected the strength of the technical level of the tournament and the breadth of competition among the participating countries, as China topped the medal table with a total of 18 medals (7 gold, 10 silver, 1 bronze), after its remarkable brilliance in athletics, taekwondo, tech ball, and triathlon, confirming its continued continental superiority in the diversity of individual games and speed in resolving the finals. Thailand is second with 10 medals (6 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze) thanks to its excellence in kabaddi, muay thai, and triathlon, while Uzbekistan continued its strong performance in kurash, pencak silat, and athletics to occupy second place, shared with Thailand, with 10 medals (6 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze).
As for Iran, it came fourth with 13 medals, especially in taekwondo and kabaddi, while India came in fifth with 10 medals as a result of its brilliance in athletics, kabaddi and kurash, while the Iraqi team achieved a distinguished achievement by winning a gold and two silver in the teq ball competitions to come in sixth place.
With the conclusion of the first day, enthusiasm is renewed on the second day, which witnesses widespread momentum in competitions across 13 new sports distributed across various sports sites in the Kingdom, where the bicycle race represents the distinctive event, which is held in the morning on the Nasser bin Hamad cycling track, so that Bahrain continues to receive the largest Asian youth gathering in its history, and the second day’s sports include 3×3 basketball, athletics, beach volleyball, boxing, and futsal. Football, golf, handball, mixed martial arts, Muay Thai, equestrian show jumping, taekwondo, and volleyball.
As for the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre, it was one of the most active sites, as it hosted boxing, Muay Thai and mixed martial arts (MMA) competitions with wide participation from Asian teams, amid an enthusiastic crowd atmosphere.
While the beach volleyball held in Sama Bay continues to attract a large audience as its competition enters the decisive stages, the Royal Golf Club hosts golf competitions for the second day in a row, while the equestrian show jumping competitions conclude today with the participation of an elite group of rising riders from various countries.
The Kingdom of Bahrain shows integrated organizational readiness at various levels, as all sports venues are equipped with the latest technologies and systems to facilitate the management of competitions and ensure the smooth flow of movement between athletes and delegations, in addition to the efficiency of field teams and volunteer cadres. The Kingdom received wide praise from the Olympic committees and participating Asian delegations, who expressed their admiration for the modern infrastructure, the accuracy of the timetables, and the quality of logistical services provided to the athletes.
From a technical standpoint, the official “Bahrain 2025” application contributed to providing an advanced digital experience for followers and media professionals, as it allows real-time monitoring of results, arrangements and medals, in addition to updated schedules of events and locations.
On the media side, the tournament witnessed a record attendance of more than 400 local and international media professionals representing various print, visual, audio and digital media from Asian countries and the world. The Executive Committee of the tournament provided advanced media centers in Isa Sports City and the Bahrain International Exhibition Center equipped with all the required services and designated places for interviews and photography. Live broadcast points and real-time coverage of the events were also allocated from On Bahrain TV channels, reflecting the great interest the tournament receives.
Media professionals play a prominent role in conveying the bright image of the Kingdom of Bahrain, by covering the achievements of athletes and highlighting the organizational and volunteer efforts that contribute to the success of the event, thus enhancing the Kingdom’s position on the Asian and international levels. The organizing committee was keen to facilitate all media work requirements and provide dedicated paths for photographers to cover the competitions from distinct angles that reflect the spirit of the tournament and the enthusiasm of Asian youth.
On the first day, various sports venues witnessed a remarkable crowd presence from Bahraini families, residents, and Asian communities, who filled the stands, in a scene that embodies the community’s interaction with the event and its keenness to support the athletes. The atmosphere was characterized by liveliness and joy, with accompanying entertainment and musical performances that attracted the audience to the event sites. The visitors expressed their admiration for the precise organization and ease of access to the facilities, stressing that the tournament represents an ideal opportunity to promote sports tourism in Bahrain and highlight the cultural face of the Kingdom to the Asian continent.
With the continuation of competitions and the expansion of the scope of participation, the Asian Youth Games “Bahrain 2025” is moving confidently towards presenting a historical version that embodies the vision of the wise leadership and the efforts of His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa in supporting the Bahraini sports movement and raising its status regionally and continentally, so that Bahrain remains a distinguished model in organization, diversity, and Asian sports creativity.
