In recent years, Bahrain has firmly established itself as a distinguished destination for regional and international sporting events. This success reflects the vision of its forward-looking leadership and the confidence placed in the capabilities of its people.
The kingdom marks another milestone by hosting the third edition of the Asian Youth Games (AYG), a moment of national pride that His Majesty King Hamad underscored when welcoming senior guests and heads of delegations.
The historic inauguration was graced by Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and brought together a distinguished gathering of officials, athletes and guests from numerous Asian nations and around the world.
I had the honour of working closely with the Asian Games Committee in 2006, alongside Captain Hussain Al Musallam, who was then serving as deputy director-general and later became director-general of the Olympic Council of Asia. At that time, our company, PromoSeven, was entrusted with the responsibility of promoting the event on a global scale and generating significant revenue through international sponsorships.
Working with Capt Hussain for 10 remarkable years was a privilege, as he exemplified the qualities of a first-class leader with an organised and confident character, combining strategic vision with consistent team support. His guidance and meticulous planning played a vital role in enabling us to fulfil our mission successfully and achieve our objective of securing more than $100 million in sponsorships without encountering major obstacles.
Bahrain carries that same spirit of excellence as it hosts the AYG with passion, precision and a strong sense of national responsibility. The kingdom aims to present a model of organisational excellence and institutional integrity that reflects its deep-rooted experience in managing global sporting events.
Bahrain’s commitment to sports has become a core aspect of its national identity and a powerful means of international engagement, strengthening its position as a trusted partner on the world stage.
The hosting of this prestigious event stems from a strategic and forward-thinking vision, guided by the kingdom’s leadership and grounded in sound planning and investment in sports development. These factors have enabled Bahrain to welcome 4,302 young athletes, 900 team officials and 700 coaches from 45 Asian Olympic Committees, participating in 26 sports and 249 competitions.
This achievement demonstrates Bahrain’s readiness and capability to deliver large-scale international events efficiently and successfully. Over the years, the kingdom has proven its excellence in organising world-class competitions, notably the Formula One Grand Prix, one of the most logistically demanding sporting events globally.
Bahrain’s geographic advantage, modern infrastructure and robust logistics network – including its international airport and extensive hospitality facilities – ensure smooth co-ordination and world-class service for thousands of guests. Hosting the AYG is a continuation of a journey that began decades ago, reaffirming Bahrain’s confidence and capacity to serve as a regional and global hub for youth and sports.
The success of this edition is driven by the dedicated efforts of Asian Football Confederation president Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa and Bahrain Olympic Committee secretary-general Faris Mustafa Al Kooheji. Both have played a crucial role in securing and executing this event, ensuring that the Games are organised to the highest international standards.
What truly sets Bahrain’s achievement apart is the remarkable efficiency and precision shown in completing the preparations. While most nations typically require no less than four years to organise an event of this scale, Bahrain accomplished the task in just 10 months, delivering results that exceeded expectations. This exceptional accomplishment reflects the kingdom’s determination, unity and institutional excellence. It also highlights Bahrain’s strategic investments in developing world-class sports infrastructure and its aspiration to stand among the leading sporting nations of Asia.
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