On September 19, we will celebrate an important historical date: 30 years ago, the Decree of the First President of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia) Mikhail Nikolaev on Children of Asia Games was signed. This document has forever changed the sports and cultural life not only of Yakutia, but also entire Asia and became a step of faith in potential of the youth and a starting point for the international recognition of the Republic.
In difficult 1990s, the Republic under the leadership of Mikhail Nikolaev was looking for new ideas to develop society and strengthen international relations. The upcoming global celebration of the 100th anniversary of the modern Olympic Games provided an opportunity.
It was then in the heart of Russia's largest region that an inspiring idea appeared: to host international competitions for children in Yakutsk resembling the Olympic but on a continental scale. Mikhail Nikolaev convinced that the ideas of Olympism are based on humanism and nobility and thus he saw a great potential in this project.
The initiative was supported both by the regional and federal government. On September 19, 1995, this idea gained an official status. The decree of the President of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia) No. 1170 marked the beginning of a large-scale project - Children of Asia Games. In August 1996, Yakutsk opened its arms and welcomed the first young athletes from different parts of Asia.
Over the years, the Games have become a true bridge of friendship and brought together more than 17,000 young athletes from Asia. For Yakutia, the Games have become an event that has demonstrated its hospitality, rich culture, and strong spirit to the world and served as a catalyst for the Republic's transformative development. Today, the Children of Asia is more than just a competition. It is a living legacy, the pride of the region, and the largest international sports event for children in the world that was born out of a bold idea and a belief in the future generation.
