Bali to host Asia beach volleyball event

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Fri, 04/28/2006 11:05 AM

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Teams from eight countries will compete at the LA Menthol Asia Beach Volleyball Tournament at Kuta beach, Bali, from May 4 to 7, which is hoped will lure more foreign tourists to the resort island.

""At least eight countries will participate in the US$20,000 tournament, including strong teams from China and Thailand,"" the Indonesian Volleyball Association (PBVSI) secretary-general Nyoman Sukesna said Thursday.

The eight countries are China (two men's teams and one women's team), Thailand (one men's team and one's women's team), Malaysia (two men's teams and one women's team), Australia (one men's team), New Zealand (one men's team), Vietnam (two men's teams), the Philippines (one men's team) and host Indonesia (two men's teams and two women's teams).

""We are proud that the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) trusts us to host such a prestigious event... Hopefully, this event will bring back tourists to the island and to other areas in Indonesia,"" Nyoman said.

The tourist industry, the largest contributor to the province's economy, is struggling to recover after terrorist bomb attacks in October 2002, which killed 202 people mostly Australians, and in October 2005 that claimed the lives of 22 people.

""The event will also serve as preparation for the national team ahead of the Asian Games in Doha in December,"" Nyoman said.

The Indonesian Sports Council (KONI) has set a target of winning one gold medal from beach volleyball at the Asian Games.

National team coach Slamet Mulyanto pointed to Australia, New Zealand, China and Thailand as strong contenders for the home team in the men's division.

Indonesian men's beach volleyball teams made a successful tryout in Iran last month following changes in the pairing of the players.

Koko Prasetyo who formerly partnered with Agus Salim is now partnered with Andy Ardiansyah and the new pair won two titles in the Asia Tour in Iran last month. Agus, who now teams up with Rama Supriyadi, also showed an encouraging result by achieving third place in the same tournament.

""Hopefully, our team gives its best so we can win,"" Slamet said.

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