The Executive Committee for Shantou 2021 has started the process by launching its volunteer management system, revealing a volunteer logo and showcasing stories of core volunteers for the Youth Games, which are scheduled to take place from December 20 to 28 this year in China.

Shantou 2021 deputy director Huang Yusheng and Xu Qi, director of Shantou 2021's volunteers department, were present with volunteers to launch the management system.

The volunteer logo comprises of a heart and volunteer, to "demonstrate the importance of volunteering, to exhibit the sincerity and warm-heartedness of volunteers and to encourage the general public to take part and contribute to the development of the city and the Asian Youth Games".

This emblem was approved and confirmed by the Olympic Council of Asia.

Over the comings months, the logo will be used in recruitment programmes and volunteering activities of the Youth Games.

The 10,000 volunteers expected to be recruited are to be assigned to various venue teams and the Athletes' Village in areas such as protocol reception, arrival and departure, language services, cultural activities, sports and in operations teams at competition venues and media centres.

Volunteer applications are open, with the deadline to apply being September 30.

All applicants must be at least 18 years old, have good communication and coordination skills, and have time to attend training and activities organised by Shantou 2021.

Shantou 2021 is set to be the third edition of the Asian Youth Games and the first in nine years after Nanjing in 2013, which followed on from the inaugural event in Singapore in 2009.

The 2017 Asian Youth Games were awarded to Sri Lanka, only for the country to withdraw from staging the event following several issues.

The Shantou 2021 Asian Youth Games were initially scheduled from November 20 to 28 last year before being postponed due to COVID-19.

Athletes aged between 14 and 17 can take part in the competition.