Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino speaks with Prince Abdulaziz Bin Turki Al-Faisal, the Minister of Sports of Saudi Arabia, during the 101st Olympic Council of Asia Executive Board Meeting at the Art Hotel and Resort in Manama, Bahrain. Photo from POC Pool
MANILA -- The Philippines is seeking hosting rights for the Asian Youth Games (AYG), one of the biggest youth sports competitions in the world.
Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said on Wednesday that the AYG will be held biennially moving forward, with the next edition after 2029 taking place in 2031.
Tolentino says it could be held in the Philippines—if the government lends its support: “Kung ba-back-up-an ako ng government.”
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The Olympic Council of Asia held its 101st Executive Board meeting at the Art Hotel and Resort in Manama before the opening rites of the Asian Youth Games on Wednesday at the Exhibition World Bahrain.
Tolentino, an OCA Executive Board member, is again calling for teamwork at home, saying it will provide many young Filipino athletes with a chance to reach the bigger stage.
“May pupuntahan talaga ang mga atleta sa Palaro, Batang Pinoy, 'yung grassroots talaga,” Tolentino said.
“Actually, nag-heads up ako eh, it’s up to government eh. Dalawa 'yung hineads up ko—if you want, we’re being considered—Asian Beach Games and AYG,” Tolentino added.
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The 2025 AYG in Bahrain officially opened on Wednesday evening, marking the start of the major youth sporting spectacle featuring over 4,300 athletes competing across 253 events in 24 sports.
The Philippines has a 141-strong delegation competing in volleyball, teqball, golf, triathlon, mixed martial arts, taekwondo, muay, athletics, boxing, cycling, weightlifting, table tennis, badminton, wrestling, swimming, jiujitsu, and kurash.
Kram Airam Carpio delivered the first gold for the Philippines, winning the Pencak Silat girls’ 51–55 kg division with a 33–19 victory over Indonesia’s Qiken Dwi Tata Olifia late Monday.