The event was scheduled for November in 2021 but was moved back a year due to uncertainties surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.

Despite the change of year, the event will keep the name Shantou 2021 and its logo will remain unchanged.

Athletes aged between 14 and 17 take part at the Asian Youth Games.

Twenty-one sports and disciplines are on the Shantou 2021 programme, with the construction and renovation of 25 competition venues and the Athletes' Village complete. 

Sponsorship agreements in seven areas have been signed while plans are in place for a Torch Relay.

Shantou 2021 is scheduled as the first edition of the Asian Youth Games since Nanjing in China in 2013.

The 2017 Asian Youth Games were awarded to Sri Lanka, only for the country to drop out following a series of problems.

Indonesian capital Jakarta was then lined up as a replacement, but the city also later withdrew and the event did not take place. 

Uzbekistan's capital Tashkent has been awarded the 2025 edition.