Doha, Qatar: Young athletes will compete at the inaugural 2026 Youth Games in Doha from November 18 to 22, as Qatar steps up efforts to identify and develop emerging talent ahead of the 2030 Asian Games. The event will feature participants aged 12 to 17, with competitions in shooting, archery and padel.
Set to be held under the theme “Towards a Sporting Generation and a Promising Future”, the five-day Games will give participants valuable competitive experience while helping identify athletes who could progress to higher levels.
Director of the 2026 Youth Games Hind Al Ibrahim told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that the event would allow young athletes to showcase their abilities in a competitive environment while opening pathways for their sporting development.
She said outstanding performers would be monitored in coordination with relevant authorities to assess their potential and explore opportunities to integrate them into training programmes and future development plans.
The organising committee is working closely with sports federations and specialised technical committees to evaluate athletes’ performances, technical abilities and suitability for further development in the three disciplines.
The initiative reflects the Qatar Olympic Committee’s commitment to building a sustainable sporting foundation by encouraging youth participation, identifying promising talent and providing opportunities to improve technical and competitive standards.
Al Ibrahim said Doha’s hosting of the 2030 Asian Games added further significance to these efforts, with the aim of preparing a new generation capable of competing at major sporting events.
