Malta will host the eighth edition of the Commonwealth Youth Games in 2027

Why in news ?

Commonwealth Sport has announced that Malta will host the 8th Commonwealth Youth Games (CYG) to be held in late 2027.

Host country: Malta

• Location: An island country in Southern Europe
• Position: In the Mediterranean Sea, between Sicily (Italy) and North Africa
• Features: Hosting the CYG for the first time
• Venue: Will be held on the islands of Malta and Gozo
• Accommodation: Hotels will be converted into two athlete villages – one on each island
• Significance of Malta hosting:
  • Promoting sports in small and island nations
  • Increasing youth participation
  • Showcasing world-class sports facilities and hosting capacity

Key points

• Event: 8th Commonwealth Youth Games (CYG)
• Year: 2027 (exact date not announced yet)
• Organising body: Commonwealth Sport
• Participating countries/territories: 74 Commonwealth countries and territories
• Estimated number of participating athletes: Approximately 1,150
• Age range of participants: 14 to 18 years
• Total number of competitive sports: 8 sports

Competitive sports (8 sports)

• Sports included for the first time: Sailing and Water Polo
• Six previously scheduled sports: Athletics-Para Athletics, Netball, Squash, Swimming-Para Swimming, Triathlon and Weightlifting

Commonwealth Youth Games:

• The Commonwealth Youth Games (CYG) is an international multi-sport event in which young athletes aged 14–18 years from Commonwealth countries participate.
• It started in the year 2000 in Edinburgh (Scotland).
• This event is also held every four years and aims to provide a global platform to young talents.

Commonwealth Games:

• The Commonwealth Games or Commonwealth Games is an international multisport event held every four years.
• Athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations participate in it.
• The Commonwealth Games are organized by the Commonwealth Games Association based in London, England.
  • It was first organized in the year 1930 in Hamilton, Canada.
• At that time it was known as the British Empire Games.
• The last Commonwealth Games (in 2022) were held in Birmingham, England, which included 19 sports.
• Archery and shooting were not included in the Birmingham Games.
  • India won 12 medals in the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
  • The 2026 Commonwealth Games were to be held in Australia.
• Last year the Australian government refused to host the event.
  • After this, it was decided to hold the games in Glasgow (Scotland).