The East Asian Youth Games /EAYG/ is being held in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, on August 16-23. Director of Operations of the "Ulaanbaatar East Asian Youth Games Organizing Committee" JSC Ts.Bat-Enkh was interviewed about the organization of the competition.

-How many countries and athletes are participating in the "Ulaanbaatar 2023" East Asian Youth Games?

-The East Asian Olympic Committee unites nine National Olympic Committees. More than 870 athletes from seven national Olympic committees will compete in the "Ulaanbaatar 2023" EAYG. The competition is ready to be kicked off with a total of about 1,600 official participants, including coaches, officials and organizers of these athletes.

-EAYG will be held in 12 types of 11 sports. Basketball will be played in two categories: 3x3 and classic basketball or 5x5.

-What events will be organized during the opening ceremony?

-The opening ceremony of the Games will start at 20:23 on August 16 at the Central Stadium, and it will be organized under the main theme of "Past, Present, and Future". The opening ceremony is unique in that it is planned to feature many interesting art and cultural events, such as performances, concerts, and laser shows based on ancient Mongolian legends. EAYG is the first children's and youth Games to be organized in Mongolia; thus, it creates many advantages, such as providing opportunities for the youth and children to learn from the athletes competing at the continental and international levels and find a sport of your own interest. Tickets for the competition can be ordered on the website www.ticket.mn and can be purchased at sales points. The opening ceremony is free and seats must be taken by 8:00 p.m. The closing ceremony of the Games will be held on August 23 at Sukhbaatar square.

-How is the EAYG perceived among other sports events?

-The East Asia Olympic Council is the primary unit of the International Olympic Committee, responsible for all regional activities. In other words, it is a copyrighted Games where all events are organized according to the rules and standards of the International Olympic Committee. Mongolia first participated in the bid to host this Games in 2014 and lost to Taiwan. After that, our country competed again in 2017 and obtained the right to host it this year. In the same way that countries make efforts for the qualification to host the Olympics, since 2014, our sports field worked continuously with the support of the government to win the bid. EAYG can be said to be the first sports competition held in the under-18 age category. We are also preparing to organize the Games according to the regulation of the Olympic Games.

-One of the important parameters of the international competition is the referees. Which country's referees are included this time?

-In the first round, officials from the Asian sports federations belonging to 12 types of 11 sports were officially appointed as technical and referee representatives, as well as the president of the monitoring committee responsible for the competition. The organizing committee with these members and Mongolian sports federations jointly prepared all the technical manuals for the competition in advance, reviewed them with the East Asian Olympic Council and distributed them throughout the region. Currently, 129 international-level referees and technical staff have been appointed by continental sports federations to organize the Games. Several representatives from Mongolia were appointed as its part.

MEDIA AND PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT OF THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF THE CAPITAL CITY