Manama: The Qatari youth volleyball team suffered a defeat against China, with a score of 3-1, in their opening match at the 3rd Asian Youth Games 2025, which commenced today in Manama, Bahrain. The games are set to officially open on October 22 and will run until the end of the month, featuring top Asian teams across various sports. According to Qatar News Agency, the match unfolded with set scores of 17-25, 25-20, 22-25, and 16-25. The Qatari squad is scheduled to face Iran in their next Group B matchup on Tuesday. The volleyball competition at the Games sees participation from eleven teams, divided into four groups. Group A comprises Bahrain, Pakistan, and Mongolia; Group B includes Qatar, Iran, and China; Group C features Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia; while Group D consists of Chinese Taipei, Thailand, and Indonesia. In related events, beach volleyball competitions are set to start tomorrow. The Qatari team, represented by Ahmed Ziad and Musa Al Khair, is preparing to confront the Maldives. Meanwhile, t he girls' beach volleyball team, featuring Celine Mahmoud and Siwar Al Asal, will compete against Kazakhstan. The 3rd Asian Youth Games, hosted by Bahrain, will showcase 26 sports, with the participation of over 5,000 athletes from 45 Asian Olympic Committees. This edition marks the largest in the history of the Games and will serve as a qualifier for the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, next year. Qatar will be represented by 67 male and female athletes competing in 16 sports categories, including athletics, badminton, basketball (3x3), equestrian (show jumping), golf, judo, jiu-jitsu, cycling, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, triathlon, wrestling, volleyball, beach volleyball, and boxing. Qatari women's participation encompasses athletics, badminton, volleyball, and beach volleyball. The Qatari teams aim to deliver strong performances and secure medals across various sports. This participation also aligns with their preparations for the upcoming 21st Asian Games, set to be held in Doha in 2030. In previous editions, Qatar secured two silver medals in athletics at the inaugural Asian Youth Games in Singapore (2009) and three medals, including a gold in handball, at the second edition in Nanjing (2013), along with two silver medals in shooting.