The Southeast Asian Olympic leaders have approved the launch of the first youth-focused multi-sport competition in the region, which will be first held in Manila in 2028. Open to athletes aged 17 and below, the Southeast Asian Plus Youth Games is designed to prepare competitors for the Asian Youth Games and the Youth Olympic Games. The 'Plus' element allows for the invitation of at least one non-Southeast Asian nation per edition. Manila will host the inaugural edition, with subsequent events held biennially to maintain alignment with the AYG schedule. According to Tolentino, the goal of SEA Plus YG is to build the strong competitive groundwork these athletes need to challenge for spots on the Summer and Winter Olympic stages.

Source: Philippine Star January 02, 2026 15:15 UTC