From The Bahamas to Belfast: Great news on Commonwealth Youth Games

Commonwealth Games Wales have welcomed today’s announcement that the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games will be held in the Bahamas, with the seventh Youth Games held in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 2021. 

This follows an unanimous vote at the Commonwealth Games Federation meeting in Gibraltar on Friday (29 January 2016).  

The 6th edition of the Commonwealth Youth Games will take place in the Bahamas from 19-23 July 2017 in the nation’s capital, Nassau and seven sports are proposed: Aquatics (Swimming), Athletics (Track and Field), Boxing, Cycling (Road), Judo, Rugby Sevens and Tennis. It will be the first time Judo has been presented at a Commonwealth Youth Games.

The exact dates of Belfast Youth Games have not yet been announced, but they are expected to be held during the summer of 2021. 

Around 1000 young athletes aged 14-18 are expected to take part in both Youth Games including a number of talented Welsh youngsters.

Commonwealth Games Wales Chief Executive, Chris Jenkins, said: “I’d like to extend big congratulations to the Bahamas and Northern Ireland on their successful bids. The Commonwealth Youth Games play a major part in nurturing sporting talent, and gives young people the opportunity to compete in the international arena. 

“Our young Welsh athletes performed excellently at last year’s Youth Games in Samoa, bringing 9 medals home to Wales. I have no doubt that a number of these athletes will go on to great sporting success in the future, including the 2017 and 2021 Youth Games. 

“We at Commonwealth Games Wales look forward to working with the Commonwealth Games Federation, and the Commonwealth Games Association of the Bahamas and Northern Ireland respectively to get the preparations off the ground for what will hopefully be two of the best Youth Games yet.”