MANILA, Philippines — Southeast Asian sports ministers have affirmed the Bali Declaration on Youth and Sports, a plan to professionalize the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) and introduce new regional competitions, according to a statement released after their meeting in Bali, Indonesia, on May 4, 2026.
The declaration, endorsed by the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Youth and Sports, aims to elevate the SEA Games to a global standard by improving governance, athlete development, and event management. It also proposes launching new regional tournaments for emerging sports to boost youth participation and regional integration.
Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Richard Bachmann, who attended the meeting, said the initiative aligns with the country's goal to host a more professional SEA Games in the future. The next SEA Games is scheduled for 2027 in Malaysia.
The Bali Declaration builds on previous ASEAN sports cooperation frameworks and is expected to be presented at the upcoming ASEAN Summit for formal adoption by heads of state.
