17-Year-Old Sri Lankan Katie Speldewinde Wins Asian Games Youth Reporter Project 2026

Seventeen-year-old Sri Lankan Katie Speldewinde has been named the winner of the Asian Games Youth Reporter Project 2026, organised by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organizing Committee (AINAGOC).

Speldewinde was recognised for her writing after going beyond the sporting aspects of the Asian Games to explore the role of sport in bringing people and communities together.

In her submission, she reflected on Sri Lanka’s three-decade civil war, which ended in 2009, and highlighted the potential of sport to promote unity within countries as well as between nations.

The OCA specifically noted her approach, quoting her observation that sport can help create unity among individuals from the same country.

Speldewinde was officially presented with the award during the Sri Lankan leg of the Asian Games Fun Run on September 8.

Following her achievement, Katie joins the OCA Media Team at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, taking place from September 19 to October 4, 2026.

She will work alongside nine other young reporters from across Asia, gaining first-hand experience covering one of the region’s largest sporting events.

Her achievement marks a significant opportunity for the young Sri Lankan, combining her interest in journalism and sport on an international platform.