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41 confirmed for Asian Beach Games
The inaugural Asian Beach Games to be held in Bali are less than two months away, with at least 3,300 athletes from 41 countries confirming their participation, organizers say
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The inaugural Asian Beach Games to be held in Bali are less than two months away, with at least 3,300 athletes from 41 countries confirming their participation, organizers say.
Another four countries are expected to register later, according to the Bali Asian Beach Games Organizing Committee (BABGOC), bringing the total number of participating teams to 45 and the number of athletes and officials to 6,000.
The games, which are scheduled to run from Oct. 18 to 26, will feature 17 beach-based sports.
The run-up to the games has been blighted by funding problems, but BABCOG Director Rita Subowo told reporters on Tuesday that she was optimistic the games would run as planned.
"Preparations for the games are on track," Rita said, adding they had already arranged for the opening and closing ceremonies.
Rita said the games would be launched by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Monument in Nusa Dua, Bali, while Vice President Jusuf Kalla would attend the closing ceremony.
"Forty-one country leaders and several very important people, including British Royal and Qatar Royal family members, have also confirmed their presence at the opening ceremony," she said.
With many foreign delegates coming to Bali, Rita said security would be a priority during the event.
"The overall security will be managed by Bali governor Ins. Gen. (Ret.) I Made Mangku Pastika," she added.
Sports director said the organizers were continuing their efforts to attract more sponsors.
"So far, we have more than five committed sponsors, including (state-owned oil company) Pertamina and (electronics company) Panasonic," Djoko said, without elaborating on the amount of financial backing.
Indonesia is preparing 214 athletes and 70 coaches to take part in all 17 sports. The country's athletes have been in Bali for training since last month.
Djoko, who is in charge of the training camp, said the athletes would continue training during Idul Fitri (Islamic holiday marking the end of the fasting month).
"With them being away from families during Idul Fitri, each will be granted Rp 1 million in compensation," he added.
The 17 sports to be played at the Asian Beach Games are handball, kabaddi (traditional Indian team sport), pencak silat (Indonesia's traditional martial art), sepak takraw (a cross between volleyball and soccer), beach soccer, beach volleyball, beach wrestling, bodybuilding, dragon boat racing, jet skiing, marathon swimming, paragliding, sailing, surfing, triathlon, windsurfing and woodball.
