Manama: His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports (SCYS), President of the General Sports Authority (GSA), and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC), attended the closing ceremony of the 3rd Asian Youth Games, held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa at Khalifa Sports City.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the event marked the conclusion of 13 days of competition hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain, attended by senior officials, guests, and athletes from across Asia. HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad extended his congratulations to His Majesty the King and to His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, on Bahrain's successful hosting of the Games. He commended the royal patronage of His Majesty the King and the support of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, noting that their guidance was instrumental to the event's success.
HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad also congratulated His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the SCYS, for his leadership and dedication to youth and sports, which contributed significantly to the success of the Games. His Highness expressed pride in the Kingdom's achievement in organising and hosting the continental event, which brought together young athletes from across Asia. His Highness said the Games reflected Bahrain's ability to host major sporting events to the highest international standards, showcasing its growing reputation as a regional sports hub.
HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad expressed appreciation to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) for its confidence in granting Bahrain the honour of hosting the Games and for its ongoing cooperation and support. He also thanked sponsors, partners, and supporters from both the public and private sectors for their contributions, noting that such partnerships represent an effective model for advancing sports and youth development.
His Highness commended the efforts of the Games' Executive Committee, working teams, and volunteers, noting that their collective effort and team spirit were key to achieving this success. HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad congratulated Bahrain's national teams for winning a total of 13 medals, including five gold, five silver, and three bronze, and wished them continued success in future competitions.
The closing ceremony began with the national anthem, followed by speeches by Faris Mustafa Al Kooheji, Secretary General of BOC, and Timothy Fok, First Vice President of the OCA. The Games' flag was handed over to the Uzbekistan Olympic Committee, which will host the next edition in 2029. The ceremony also featured a video highlighting Bahrain's 2025 edition and a preview of Uzbekistan's preparations for the next Games, before concluding with the parade of nations and the extinguishing of the Games' flame.