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

3 days 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

4 days 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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The International Children's Games The International Children's Games is Edyta Mierzejewskaewska and 3 others.

2 weeks ago

Płock Explores the Possibility of Hosting a Future ICGFollowing Deputy Mayor Łukasz Jankowski’s visit to the 2026 Hualien International Children’s Games, the City of Płock, Poland invited ICG President Igor Topole and Secretary General Hugh Waters for a day of meetings and site visits as the city explores the possibility of hosting a future edition of the International Children’s Games.During the visit, the ICG delegation met with Mayor Andrzej Nowakowski, Deputy Mayor Łukasz Jankowski, Edyta Mierzejewska, Director of the Department of Promotion and Sport, and Dorota Bartuś, Head of the Office of Promotion, International Cooperation and Tourism. Discussions focused on the requirements for hosting the ICG and Płock’s potential to welcome young athletes from around the world.The delegation was also taken on a tour of some of Płock’s impressive sporting facilities. As seen in the accompanying photographs, these included visits to the football stadium, track and swimming pool, both of which could potentially host sporting events should Płock become a future ICG Host City.Płock already holds a special place in ICG history, having hosted the 2002 International Children’s Games and continuing to participate regularly in the Games. More than two decades later, it was wonderful to return and see the city’s continued commitment to sport and young people.The visit provided an opportunity for positive and productive discussions, as well as a closer look at the facilities available. We thank the City of Płock for its warm hospitality and now look forward to its decision on whether to submit a bid to host a future International Children’s Games. ... See MoreSee Less

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The International Children's Games

2 weeks ago

Celebrating Team Hamilton!Earlier this week, Team Hamilton, Canada, was proudly recognized by Hamilton City Council and the Mayor for representing their city at the 2026 International Children’s Games in Hualien, Taiwan. It is always wonderful to see our young ICG athletes and their achievements recognised by their home cities. Beyond the competition, these young athletes serve as ambassadors for their communities and carry the spirit of friendship, respect and international understanding home with them.Congratulations to Team Hamilton! We look forward to welcoming Hamilton back to the ICG family — and especially to Hamilton 2028, when the city hosts the 60th anniversary International Children’s Games! ... See MoreSee Less

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The International Children's Games

2 weeks ago

FROM ICG ATHLETE TO THE BUNDESLIGA!What a wonderful example of where the International Children’s Games journey can lead!Back in 2019, a 14-year-old Hennes Behrens represented Darmstadt, Germany, at the International Children’s Games in Ufa. He competed not in football, but in athletics, running the 1500m and finishing fifth in the B Final in 4:42.68. Seven years later, Hennes is now a professional footballer in Germany’s Bundesliga. After developing through the youth systems of SV Darmstadt 98 and TSG Hoffenheim, he made his Bundesliga debut for Hoffenheim in 2025. He then spent the second half of the 2025/26 season on loan at 1. FC Heidenheim, making 16 Bundesliga appearances and recording one goal and two assists. In July 2026, the 21-year-old defender signed a five-year contract with FC Augsburg until 2031. He has made an impressive start to the new Bundesliga season, featuring in all three of Augsburg’s opening league matches. Last weekend, he played in their 2–2 draw with Bayer Leverkusen, which extended Augsburg’s unbeaten start to the season. From running the 1500m for Darmstadt at ICG Ufa 2019 to playing professional football in the Bundesliga — Hennes’ story is another reminder that the young athletes we see at the International Children’s Games may one day go on to achieve great things on the international sporting stage.Congratulations, Hennes! The ICG family will be following your journey with pride ... See MoreSee Less

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The International Children's Games

Olympia - Elis, Greece

June 27th 2027