World Youth Festival 2022 to be hosted in Bangkok

The fifth edition of the UTS World Youth Festival is taking place from 14th-20th November 2022 in Bangkok and will be held on the grounds of the prestigious Srinakharinwirot University. The World Youth Festival is under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee, Paralympic Committee, Special Olympics, SportAccord, GAISF, and AIMS.

The sports festival at the Srinakharinwirot University will include seven zones: Urban Zone, virtual Esport, Combat Zone, Winter Zone, Sport for All Zone, Main stage, and Centre Court. The festival will invite all universities and colleges from the city to join in the festival activities and events.

More than ever sports must contribute with a united effort towards a better tomorrow. United Through Sports (UTS) promotes inclusion, non-discrimination, equality, and peace-promotion for and with the youth of the world.

After the success of the 2021 edition in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, this year's edition will be in conjunction with APEC and GEW where selected young leaders of the world come together to unite and work together towards a better future. Over 400 young leaders have been chosen to take part in the festival, joined by sporting youth across the five continents to collaborate in cultural and sporting exchange, making a call to action towards a better and more inclusive tomorrow.

The event which is once again under the patronage of the IOC, IPC, SOI, SportAccord, and GAISF brings over 140 international and national sports federations as well as Olympic cities, NGOs, and organisations uniting for one common goal, to place youth of all abilities at the centre - right where they belong.

IOC President Thomas Bach notes “The International Olympic Committee is once again supportive of the United Through Sports World Youth Festival. This important initiative brings together over 100 international organisations to promote tolerance, equality, and non-discrimination. To all the participating world youth ambassadors: Through your participation, you are contributing through sport to a better and more peaceful world. You are never too young to change the world.”

The event has already begun with five virtual competitions to give youth of all abilities and social backgrounds around the world the opportunity to share their unique talents and get active no matter where they are. The festival week includes an education program with conferences, plenary sessions, and workshops led by organisations including UNESCO, Yunus Sports Hub, IOC Young Leaders, WADA, ITA, Mission 89, and One Young World amongst others.

With closer partnerships and collaborations, IPC President Andrew Parsons added “the IPC is proud to have given patronage to the UTS Youth Festival for a third successive year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever that we encourage youngsters to participate in sports, not just to live active and healthy lifestyles but to learn so many important life skills. The UTS Youth Festival has a strong track record for engaging youngsters all around the world and discovering new stars, such as one of the last year’s participants Harmonie Rose-Allen.  We look forward to unearthing new talent this year.”

The week will end in conjunction with World Children's Day and the Bangkok Urban Youth Tournament, 19th-20th November which invites vulnerable, migrant, and refugee youths to take part in sports and offers an opportunity to be inspired towards their future.

Once again, with the support and contribution of the Special Olympics, Chief Executive Mary Davis comments “we applaud the efforts of United Through Sports to continue to increase the impact of the World Youth Festival while raising the platform for inclusive sport as a catalyst for positive societal change.”