For the first time, Camel racing will be held at the Bahrain Asian Youth Games 2025 with India participating in it
The Asian Youth Games 2025 will witness a historic moment when camel racing is being included as an official sport for the first time. Camel racing is a major recognised traditional desert sport, and will make its debut at the 3rd Asian Youth Games in Bahrain in October 2025.
Camel racing being included in the Asian Youth Games is a big achievement
The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has officially included this traditional game in the 24 sports of the games. The decision came after the OCA recently recognised the World Camelids Sports as the governing body of camel racing in Asia.
This inclusion is not just an addition to a sport but also a major step to celebrate a cultural heritage.
India will participate in camel racing
Camel Racing events will be conducted from 22 October to 31 October 2025. 500-meter races have been scheduled for both male and female athletes. Every athlete will be provided with a camel for the competition.
8 countries have confirmed their participation in this historic event – Bahrain, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran, India, Philippines, and Mongolia.
India’s participation in this new sport is a sign that the country is now ready to explore new traditional and regional sports at the global level.
Clear guidelines issued regarding further criteria
OCA Director General Husain Al Musallam informed 45 National Olympic Committees through a letter that the age structure for the Asian Youth Games will be in a two-tier format.
- The age limit for athletes will be 14 to 17 years for sports which are part of the Dakar Youth Olympic Games 2026, the age limit for athletes will be 14 to 17 years.
- In other sports, like Camel Racing, the age limit will be 15 to 18 years.
In this way there will be no confusion regarding the eligibility of the athletes and every participant will get a fair opportunity.
24 sports will be included in the Bahrain Games
Apart from camel racing, this time many non-YOG (non-Youth Olympic Games) sports will also be included which will be seen for the first time in the Asian Youth Games. These include:
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- Equestrian Endurance
- E-Sports
- Golf
- Handball
- Jiu-Jitsu
- Kabaddi
- MMA
- Muay
- Teqball
- Volleyball
- Freestyle Wrestling
- Weightlifting
Traditional Olympic-style sports will also be part of the program:
- Athletics
- Badminton
- Basketball 3×3
- Boxing
- Cycling
- Equestrian Jumping
- Futsal
- Judo
- Swimming
- Table Tennis
- Taekwondo
- Triathlon
- Beach Freestyle Wrestling
Conclusion
The inclusion of Camel Racing in the Asian Youth Games 2025 represents a cultural shift where traditional sports are also getting a global stage. The participation of a country like India opens new doors for the youth. The games to be held in Bahrain will not only be a platform for competition but will also be a unique opportunity to celebrate the diverse sports culture of Asia.
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