Kram Airam Carpio’s dominant win at the Asian Youth Games didn’t just deliver a gold medal-it gave the Philippines’ hosting ambitions a timely boost.
Carpio claimed the country’s first gold in Bahrain after a convincing 33-19 victory over Indonesia’s Qiken Dwi Tata Olifia in the pencak silat girls’ 51-55 kg division late Monday.
That could add weight to what Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino revealed as a chance for the country to host the 2031 Asian Youth Games.
‘The Asian Beach Games and the Asian Youth Games-we’re being considered,’ said Tolentino. ‘But it’s up to the government. I already gave them a heads-up.’
The Olympic Council of Asia held its 101st Executive Board meeting at the Art Hotel and Resort ahead of the Games’ formal opening Wednesday evening. Tolentino, a board member, said the Philippines could be next in line to host the AYG, which will now shift to a biennial schedule.
‘If the government backs me up, we can do it,’ Tolentino said.
More than just an international event, he sees hosting as a key opportunity to strengthen grassroots development.
‘There’s a clear path now for athletes coming from Palarong Pambansa, Batang Pinoy-for those in the grassroots level,’ he said.
The 2025 AYG officially opened with over 4,300 athletes from across Asia competing in 253 events spanning 24 sports. The Philippines sent 141 athletes, competing in sports including volleyball, golf, triathlon, boxing, teqball, athletics, weightlifting, jiujitsu, and kurash