The SEA Plus Youth Games was approved as Southeast Asia’s newest youth multi-sport event, with Manila set to host its inaugural edition in 2028.
Southeast Asian Olympic leaders have agreed to launch a new youth-focused multi-sport competition, the SEA Plus Youth Games (SEA Plus YG), with Manila lined up to host its inaugural edition in 2028.
The initiative was formally pushed during regional Olympic meetings led by Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, who chairs the Philippine Olympic Committee and serves as honorary president of the SEA Games Federation Council.
To be staged at least a year before the Asian Youth Games (AYG), the SEA Plus YG will cater to athletes 17 years old and under, serving as a preparatory platform for both the AYG and the Youth Olympic Games (YOG).
“The SEA Plus YG is Southeast Asia’s answer to molding athletes at the grassroots level, make them competitive at the AYG level and able and capable of winning medals at the YOG,” Tolentino said.
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The concept has secured the backing of nine Southeast Asian national Olympic committees, including Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Timor-Leste.
The Olympic Council of Asia has also expressed full support for the project following meetings with the founding members.
“The countries which don’t want to join is up to them,” Tolentino said, citing assurances from OCA officials that participation would remain open but voluntary.
The SEA Plus YG will be held biennially, aligned with the AYG calendar. Each edition will feature two mandatory sports, up to 12 Olympic sports, five Asian non-Olympic sports, and one traditional sport, with a limit on medal events.
The “Plus” component allows for at least one invited Asian nation outside Southeast Asia per edition.
“Ultimately, the end goal is for these young athletes to have those strong foundations to contend at the Summer and Winter Olympics,” Tolentino added.
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The launch comes as Southeast Asian nations continue efforts to strengthen their youth programs. At the most recent Asian Youth Games in Bahrain, the Philippines finished as the second-best Southeast Asian nation behind Thailand.
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Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.
Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.