Sri Lanka Marches Proudly as Bahrain Welcomes Over 4000 of Asia's Best Youth Performers to the 3rd Asian Youth Games
Updated Date: 22nd October, 2025
Manama, 22 October 2025 – The 3rd Asian Youth Games Bahrain 2025 officially began in spectacular fashion with a grand Opening Ceremony at Exhibition World Bahrain, uniting over 4,000 young athletes from 45 nations in a celebration of sport, culture, and youth spirit.
Team Sri Lanka, represented by 100 athletes (56 boys and 44 girls) competing in 12 sports disciplines, proudly joined the parade of nations at the ceremony. The Sri Lankan athletes are contesting in Athletics, Badminton, Basketball 3x3, Boxing, Esports, Golf, Kabaddi, Swimming, Taekwondo, Beach Volleyball, Weightlifting, and Wrestling.
While all 12 sports are represented at the Games, a symbolic group of 12 athletes from 5 sports participated in the Opening Ceremony to represent the entire delegation.
The team was led by Chef-de-Mission Rear Admiral (Retd.) Manjula Dissanayake and Deputy Chef-de-Mission Group Captain Nalin Wewakumbura. Boxer Janindu Dhananjaya, Sri Lanka’s Under-16 National Champion in the 52kg category, and long jumper Dilini Nethsala, Asia U17 ranked No. 3, carried the national flag with pride.
Dressed in traditional attire in maroon, green, and white, sponsored by Official Opening Ceremony Attire Partner, LOVI Ceylon, the contingent made a striking impression among the Asian delegations.
The Opening Ceremony unfolded as a dazzling display of artistry and innovation, blending Bahraini tradition with modern digital effects. A four-tiered, 60-metre LED screen illustrated Bahrain’s journey through history, while over 1,000 performers delivered a dynamic showcase of dance, music, and light, under the theme “One Asia, One Dream.” The ceremony concluded with the symbolic lighting of the Games cauldron, signifying the beginning of nine days of competition across 26 sports and 232 events. The ceremony was graced by His Highness Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa,, representative of His Majesty the King of Bahrain and Chairman of Supreme Council of Youth and Sports, who officially declared the Games open.
Earlier in the day, the Kabaddi Boys’ Team Group A match between Sri Lanka and Islamic Republic of Iran took with Iran defeating Sri Lanka 93–22.
Uzbekistan named host country for the 2029 Asian Youth Games
Ahead of the Opening Ceremony, the 101st Executive Board Meeting of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) was held in Manama, chaired by OCA leadership with representatives from across the continent. The meeting commended Bahrain’s exceptional organisational efforts in staging the Games within a short timeframe, reflecting the Kingdom’s efficiency and commitment to youth sport.
During the meeting, it was officially confirmed that Tashkent, Uzbekistan will host the 2029 Asian Youth Games. The decision positions Uzbekistan as a key hub for youth and development sport in Asia.
At the meeting, Ms. Niloo Jayathilake, Executive Board Member – South Asia of the Olympic Council of Asia and Vice President of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka, joined other continental leaders in discussing future Games and intercontinental partnerships.
Discussions also included updates from the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games and the Riyadh 2026 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, with organisers addressing progress and logistical preparations. Additionally, the OCA renewed its cooperation agreement with the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) to enhance collaboration and exchange programmes between the two continents.
The 3rd Asian Youth Games Bahrain 2025 will continue until October 31, bringing together the next generation of Asian athletes aged 14 to 17 to compete in a spirit of friendship and fair play.
- End -
