In slightly over a year's time, Singapore will host the inaugural Asian Youth Games.

On Monday, the Singapore Sports Council (SSC) confirmed the Games will feature eight sports - track and field, bowling, beach volleyball, three-on-three basketball, sailing, shooting, swimming and diving, and table tennis. It will be held from July 2-9.

The SSC and Ministry of Education (MOE) will spearhead the organising of the Games, which will be used to help Singapore prepare for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games, which it will host from August 14-26, 2010.

The Asian Youth Games' opening ceremony will be held in conjunction with the Singapore Youth Festival.

Further details will be announced soon, but it is believed the organising committee and majority of the manpower to stage the Asian Youth Games will come from the SSC and MOE.

Hosting the Asian Youth Games was part of Singapore's bid plan submitted to the International Olympic Committee when the Republic was bidding to stage the Youth Olympics.

Many, if not all of the Olympic Council of Asia's 45 member nations are expected to compete in the Games.