We want to 'inspire the world' through beach games

Musthofid ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Fri, 09/12/2008 10:52 AM  |  Sports

A unique medal presentation has been arranged for next month's Asian Beach Games in Bali, itself a rarity in the world of international competitions.

RITA SUBOWO: (JP/Ricky Yudhistira)

"The medals will be presented at night during a cultural ceremony. It will be different than the usual medal ceremony," Rita Subowo, chairwoman of the Bali Beach Games Organizing Committee (BABGOC), said during a recent interview with The Jakarta Post.

The cultural ceremony will be introduced as part of the games' motto, "Inspire the World", Rita added.

"We are unlikely to make it as big as the Asian Games Qatar, whose 'Games of Your Life' sought to create a memorable experience for competing participants.

"Nor can we promise something as big as the Beijing Olympics.

"What we can do is inspire the world. We will show the world a new event everybody can be part of," she said.

The inaugural beach games, the second Asian multi-event competition to be hosted by Indonesian after the 1962 Asian Games in Jakarta, is scheduled to run from Oct. 18 to 26 in Bali.

The event features 19 sporting events, two of which -- water polo and beach basketball -- were only included recently as exhibition sports.

Although most of the sports involved are played internationally, they have never been put together in a single tournament. "Indonesia will inspire the world by being the first nation to hold a joint competition for these sports," Rita added.

"As the host, we have been given an opportunity to showcase our traditional sport, pencak silat (Indonesian martial arts)," Rita said. In the games, Pencak silat and wrestling will have "beach" preceding their names.

The buildup to the games has been beset by funding problems, with organizers slashing the original budget of Rp 320 million by two-thirds.

"Funding problems will not slow our progress. That's the challenge. We have to show the world we can do it," she added.

After pouring Rp 90 billion into the project, the government has said it is ready to inject another Rp 85 billion in bailout funds.

With such assistance, Rita says she is looking forward to making the event a success.

"Preparations are on track and we are ready to welcome 3,300 athletes and officials from 45 Asian countries. We have built 14 venues and provided 40 hotels as accommodation. We also have 2,500 volunteers.

"Transportation, security and the opening and closing ceremonies have been all arranged. We are coordinating with Governor (Made Mangku Pastika)," she added.

"As this is only the second Asian games we have hosted, we should make the best of it for the nation."

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