On a dais overlooking the Adriatic, 20 children engage in a unique chess match against grandmaster Nigel Short, supported by celebrity coaches like Ana Ivanovic, Sean Dyche, and tech billionaire Peter Thiel. This scene unfolds at the Plazma Youth Sport Games (YSG), marking its 30th anniversary in Split, Croatia. Known as “the Davos of sport,” this event is Europe’s largest amateur sports gathering for children, with nearly 500,000 young participants from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Slovenia, and North Macedonia competing in 10 sports over a week-long celebration.

The YSG promotes teamwork, collaboration, and a break from technology, making it both a sporting event and a social project. Celebrities and athletes, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Alastair Campbell, serve as ambassadors, with Dyche praising the initiative as “a brilliant, brilliant initiative.” He highlighted the excitement of the girls’ mini-football final, noting the positive environment for young athletes.

Founded by Zdravko Maric after the breakup of Yugoslavia, the Games initially aimed to combat drug issues among youth. His brother Slaven Maric emphasizes that it’s about fostering social connections rather than just sports results. The event also aims to reduce screen time for kids, rejecting attempts by esports brands to join.

Split, a city with a rich sporting history, has produced legends like Goran Ivanisevic and Luka Modric. Local pride in the YSG’s success is palpable, with figures like Slaven Bilic highlighting its importance amid global negativity. Looking ahead, the YSG plans to expand its international reach and increase sponsorships, with Coca-Cola and Telemach among partners.

The recent Games concluded with a charity football match featuring a YSG team coached by Dyche against an all-star lineup, including Claude Makélélé and Pavel Nedved. This event encapsulated the spirit of the YSG: building bridges, creating memories, and fostering community.