‘A brilliant initiative’: the Youth Sport Games goes from strength to strength

Europe’s largest amateur youth sports festival celebrated its 30th anniversary this month in Split, Croatia, drawing a mix of athletes, celebrities and political figures to the Dalmatian coast. The Plazma Youth Sport Games (YSG) – dubbed the “Davos of sport” by some of its high‑profile visitors – hosted finals in ten disciplines, from chess to 3‑v‑3 basketball, over a week of competition. The event attracted just under half a million participants from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Slovenia and North Macedonia, who had qualified through regional rounds before converging on Split for the grand finale.

A highlight of the chess tournament was a circle of 20 Balkan prodigies playing against grandmaster Nigel Short, who moved a single piece each turn around the group. The children were coached by an eclectic roster of celebrity mentors, including former French Open champion Ana Ivanovic, ex‑Burnley manager Sean Dyche and tech billionaire Peter Thiel, adding a distinctive flair to the matches. Beyond the games, the YSG emphasizes teamwork, collaboration and digital detachment, framing the festival as both a sporting event and a social project aimed at fostering holistic development in young athletes.

As the 30th edition wrapped up, organisers reflected on the festival’s growth and its role in shaping the next generation of European sports talent. The blend of high‑level competition, celebrity engagement and community‑building initiatives underscores Plazma’s continued reputation as a premier platform for youth sport across the region.