International Children's Games – Youth organization of cities global friendship through sports

4 days ago

TEAM COVENTRY – CELEBRATING THE ICG SPIRIT AND LOOKING AHEAD TO GREECE 2027! Following our earlier post on Team Coventry's wonderful Civic Reception and Awards Evening, we are delighted to share more photographs capturing the celebrations and the people who made their journey to the 2026 International Children's Games in Hualien, Taiwan, such a memorable experience!The evening was a fitting tribute to the young athletes, coaches, families, sponsors and supporters who contributed to Team Coventry's successful participation in the Games.More Than Just SportAs Team Coventry reflected on their Hualien experience, one message stood out: the International Children's Games is about so much more than medals and sporting achievements.It is about building confidence, developing resilience, forging lifelong friendships, experiencing different cultures and creating memories that will remain with our young athletes for years to come.One particularly inspiring reminder of the ICG's lasting impact came from Commonwealth Games silver medallist Jake Minshull, a former Team Coventry athlete whose international sporting journey included participation in the International Children's Games. His story demonstrates how the Games can inspire young athletes to pursue their dreams and achieve even greater heights.A Heartfelt Thank You!The success of Team Coventry would not have been possible without the generosity and encouragement of its sponsors, partners, families and supporters.We commend Coventry City Council and the Team Coventry organisers for their longstanding commitment to providing these invaluable international sporting opportunities for young people, and for continuing the wonderful tradition of recognising and celebrating their achievements.Next Stop: Greece – ICG 2027!The journey continues! Team Coventry has confirmed its participation in the 2027 International Children's Games in Greece — the birthplace of the ancient Olympic Games!What a remarkable opportunity awaits another generation of Coventry's young athletes as they prepare to represent their city, embrace the Olympic spirit and build friendships with children from around the world.Preparations are already underway, and we look forward to welcoming Team Coventry once again to the ICG family!Enjoy these additional photographs from the Civic Reception and Awards Evening, celebrating the people, friendships and achievements that make the International Children's Games so special.Congratulations, Team Coventry! Here's to Hualien 2026, Greece 2027 and many more unforgettable ICG journeys ahead! ... See MoreSee Less

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The International Children's Games

2 weeks ago

CELEBRATING TEAM COVENTRY – INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S GAMES 2026! What a wonderful evening celebrating Team Coventry's participation in the 2026 International Children's Games in Hualien, Taiwan!ICG Secretary General Hugh Waters was honoured to be invited as a guest speaker at the Lord Mayor's Reception in Coventry, attended by athletes, parents, sponsors and friends. The annual celebration recognises the achievements of Team Coventry and the many individuals and organisations who make their participation in the Games possible.The evening was hosted by David Moorcroft, the legendary British athlete and former world record holder in the 5,000m.Among the special guests was Coventry athlete Jake Minshull, who recently won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Jake himself participated in the International Children's Games a decade ago, a wonderful reminder of how the ICG provides a stepping stone for young athletes to progress to the international stage!Another inspiring ICG success story is Kirsty Gilmour from Lanarkshire, who competed at the 2007 ICG in Reykjavik, Iceland. Nearly two decades later, she continues to excel, recently winning gold at the European Badminton Championships at the age of 35!A highlight of the evening was a colourful presentation board capturing Team Coventry's incredible Hualien journey — from 18 athletes competing in two sports to memorable experiences, friendships, fundraising achievements and more than 418,000 Instagram impressions!Congratulations to Team Coventry for another successful ICG campaign and for continuing the wonderful tradition of celebrating its young athletes and the spirit of the Games.The International Children's Games is more than just a sporting competition. It is about friendships, cultural exchange, unforgettable experiences and inspiring the champions of tomorrow!Thank you, Coventry, for keeping the ICG spirit alive! ... See MoreSee Less

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The International Children's Games

3 weeks ago

Team Kelowna 2026 passing the city flag to Team Kelowna 2027, an ICG tradition! Looking forward to the Games in 2027! ... See MoreSee Less

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The International Children's Games

1 month ago

FROM THE ICG TO WORLD CHAMPION — LOH KEAN YEW Yesterday, we featured Shanti Pereira, who successfully defended her 200m title at the ongoing Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games. Looking back at the Singapore team photograph from the 2011 International Children’s Games in Lanarkshire, Scotland, another young athlete in that same team would also go on to reach the very top of his sport — Loh Kean Yew.Just 14 years old at the time, Kean Yew competed in badminton at the Lanarkshire ICG, winning two bronze medals in the Singles and Doubles competitions. It was part of his early exposure to overseas competition after joining the Singapore Sports School at 13. A decade later, Kean Yew made Singapore sporting history. At the 2021 BWF World Championships in Huelva, Spain, he defeated India’s Kidambi Srikanth 21-15, 22-20 in the final to become Singapore’s first-ever badminton World Champion. His remarkable run also included victories over then world No. 1 and Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen and world No. 3 Anders Antonsen. His career since those early ICG days has included many international achievements. Among them are the 2019 Thailand Masters title, where he famously defeated two-time Olympic champion Lin Dan in the final; the 2021 Hylo Open; and the 2024 Madrid Spain Masters. He also reached a career-high World No. 3 ranking in 2022 and became the first Singapore men's singles player in 20 years to reach an Olympic quarter-final at Paris 2024.And now, at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, Kean Yew has created history once again. He defeated then World No. 1 Jonatan Christie in the quarter-finals before overcoming South Korea’s Yoo Tae-bin to become the first Singaporean badminton player ever to reach an Asian Games final.In the final, Kean Yew faced Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn, the current World No. 2. Although he was unable to take the gold, losing 21-12, 21-16, his silver medal is the best result ever achieved by a Singapore badminton player at the Asian Games.From a 14-year-old ICG athlete in Lanarkshire, to World Champion, Olympian and Asian Games silver medallist, Loh Kean Yew’s journey is another wonderful example of what the International Children’s Games is all about.The ICG provides young athletes with an early opportunity to experience international competition, travel, friendship and representing their city on the world stage. For some, like Shanti Pereira and Loh Kean Yew, those early experiences become part of an extraordinary journey to the very highest levels of international sport.Congratulations, Kean Yew! The ICG family celebrates your remarkable journey and achievement! ... See MoreSee Less

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The International Children's Games

1 month ago

FROM THE ICG TO THE FASTEST IN ASIA — SHANTI PEREIRA At the ongoing Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, Asia’s finest athletes are competing for sporting glory. One athlete whose journey has a special connection with the International Children’s Games (ICG) is Singapore’s sprint queen, Shanti Pereira.Shanti entered the Singapore Sports School as a 13-year-old and began gaining international competition experience at the ICG. Over three consecutive years from 2009 to 2011, she represented Singapore in athletics. At Athens 2009, she was part of the 4x100m relay team that won silver. At Manama 2010, she took silver in the 100m in 12.68 seconds and helped Singapore win gold in the 4x100m relay. Then at Lanarkshire 2011, she completed a memorable double — gold in both the 100m and 4x100m relay.Those early years were only the beginning. Shanti went on to become the fastest Southeast Asian woman ever over both 100m and 200m, with Singapore national records of 11.20s and 22.57s respectively. She has also won six individual SEA Games gold medals — four over 200m and two over 100m — including the 100m/200m double at both the 2023 and 2025 SEA Games.At the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, Shanti announced herself at the continental level by winning silver in the 100m and gold in the 200m, becoming Singapore's first Asian Games athletics champion in 49 years.Now, at 30 years old, she has done it again in Nagoya. In the 100m final, Shanti clocked a season-best 11.21 seconds, finishing second behind China's outstanding 17-year-old Chen Yujie, who won in an Asian Games record of 11.06s.Two days later came the rematch in Shanti's favourite event — the 200m. This time, Shanti powered home in 22.78 seconds, ahead of Chen's 22.93s, to successfully defend her Asian Games title. In doing so, she became the first woman in Asian Games history to win the 200m title twice.From a 13-year-old competing at the International Children’s Games to standing on top of the podium at the Asian Games, Shanti's journey beautifully illustrates what youth international sport can help nurture. Her three years at the ICG provided valuable early opportunities to compete overseas, experience international competition and represent her country.From Athens, Manama and Lanarkshire to Hangzhou and Nagoya — what a journey!Congratulations, Shanti Pereira! The entire ICG family celebrates another remarkable chapter in the journey of one of our former young athletes. ... See MoreSee Less

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Olympia - Elis, Greece

June 27th 2027