Scheduled to be held from tomorrow until next Saturday (November 19), Minister of Tourism and Sports of Thailand Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn will declare the 2022 edition of the event open at the Srinakharinwirot University in Thailand.

While the Opening Ceremony is planned for later in the evening, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach and International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons are among the administrators due to be delivering a virtual welcome address in the morning session.

The welcome session will also see speeches from Special Olympics President Tim Shriver and former United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-moon of South Korea.

"This year is very special because people from all over the world are able to attend the event physically," Fox told insidethegames.

"Last year, only youth in Saudi Arabia were able to participate physically while the others joined in a hybrid format from around the world.

"Thailand will see sports representatives from every corner of the world and I want to thank the Sports of Authority of Thailand for making this possible."

The UTS World Youth Festival is being arranged under the patronage of the IOC, IPC and Special Olympics International and will be held with support from Thai sports officials and the National Sports Development Fund.

Deputy Governor of the Sport Authority of Thailand Prachum Boonthiam thanked all those who are working to make this event a unique opportunity to the youth of all abilities from around the world.

Meanwhile, National Sports Development Fund manager Suprnaee Guptasa opined that the event's philosophy of "inclusion, equality and building a better world through sports" is on par with that of Thailand.

More than 2,000 participants will be present at the Srinakharinwirot University during the week with a soft opening to try sports like ju-jitsu, muaythai, football and 3x3 basketball among others planned.

The Opening Ceremony will also see a performance from the Siam Sinfonietta Youth Orchestra, founded by Thai-American composer S. P. Somtow.

Double Parapan American Games silver medallist Ezra Frech of the United States will be leading a training session on the second day of the event.

Workshops on topics such as human trafficking, Olympic values, life skills and clean sport have also been scheduled. 

Festival zones will be present, where youth will be encouraged to experience sports from a different perspective. 

Wheelchair basketball, boccia, deaf futsal, Para fencing and blind chess are some of the sports that have been included for this particular scheme.