Around 1,150 athletes aged 14 to 18 from 74 nations and territories are anticipated to participate in the Commonwealth Youth Games, which will be held in Malta in late 2027, according to Commonwealth Sport. The final dates and team lineups remain to be confirmed.
For a second time, netball will reappear in the Games. The FAST5 version of the game was played in the 2023 event hosted in Trinidad and Tobago. The seven-form will be used this time. One of eight sports to be featured on the program will be netball.
Athletics and para-athletics, sailing, squash, swimming and para-swimming, triathlon, water polo, and weightlifting comprise the other sports. This choice captures an increasing emphasis on diversity as well as inclusion. A stronger presence for para sports in 2027 will follow the initiative begun in the preceding edition.
The event will be held in Malta, a Mediterranean Southern European island nation. Venues throughout Malta and Gozo will host competitions. Two Athlete Villages will be established utilizing hotels on both islands.
Fiona Harold, CEO of World Netball, was thrilled about the inclusion of netball and claimed Malta was the ideal venue. By allowing young players to battle against other Commonwealth teams, she noted the 2023 Games provided priceless experience. She has the same expectations for the Games of 2027.
Commonwealth Sport President Dr. Donald Rukare expressed delight to see the Games come back and commended Malta’s efforts. Major advantages he noted were Malta’s athlete-first policy and their robust sporting facilities. He thinks the Games for Young People are a life-altering adventure for youngsters rather than just a sporting event.
He called the athletes present voices of change and future stars. He said they will help shape the Commonwealth sports movement’s future.
