Curtain down on Asian Youth Games in Nanjing

Athletes, officials and volunteers from across Asia clapped hands, sang songs and danced the night away as they bid farewell to the 2013 Asian Youth Games here on Saturday night.

It was a "happy party" of a sea of friends as Asia's next generation of sporting stars celebrated the end of the nine-day Games.

The Games brought together more than 2,400 athletes from 45 countries and regions, including athletes from India who marched under the AOI banner, in a 16-sport competition that served as a dress rehearsal for the Youth Olympic Games here next summer.

Host China turned out to be the top medal winner with 46 gold, 23 silver and 24 bronze medals. South Korea secured the second place with 25-13-14. Japan was in a distant third place with seven golds.

Nineteen of the 45 NOCs went home with gold, while 29 NOCs won at least one medal of any colour.

"The sport has enthralled us. The high level of skill has impressed us. The young athletes have inspired us," said Timothy Fok, the vice-president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), at the closing ceremony.

"There has also been much to celebrate away from the competition venues. Like all Olympians, the athletes have shown Excellence, Friendship and Respect. You have made friends with athletes from different countries and cultures," he continued.

"You have set an example to the leaders of the world in how to promote trust and cooperation. You have laid firm foundations for a brighter future."

The one-hour show ended with the traditional handover of the flag of the OCA to a delegation from Hambantota, Sri Lanka, which will host the third edition of the Games in 2017.

Hambantota was one of the Sri Lankan coastal regions devastated by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, but its government has since embarked on a massive re-building program of sea terminals and airports, city infrastructure and, as the video shows, some world-class sporting facilities.