FIRST EVER: A dance performance marks the opening ceremony of the first-ever Asian Beach Games 2008 in Garuda Wisnu Kencana in Jimbaran, Bali, on Saturday. (JP/R. Berto Wedhatama)

President Susilo Bambang opened the inaugural Asian Beach Games on Saturday, saying he hoped the event could bring about peace and harmony among Asian countries and across the world.

In a rare appearance at Garuda Wisnu Kencana cultural park in Ungasan Hill, Jimbaran, Bali, the President dressed in Balinese attire.

"I see Asian Beach Games as the agent to create harmony of civilization and antidote of the clash of civilization," Yudhoyono said in front of some 5,500 guests, including International Olympics Committee president Jacques Rogge, Olympics Council of Asia president Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, and the royal families of Brunei Darussalam and Jordan.

"And by competing with fairness, you can also help to keep the brotherhood of mankind."

Athletes and officials from 40 participating countries marched across the park, with five countries having their flags paraded.

Indonesian sprinter Suryo Agung Wibowo held the flag of the OCA before being raised next to the Indonesian flag.

Indonesia's former volleyball player Agus Salim, Olympic shuttler Taufik Hidayat and windsurfer I Made Oka Sulaksana took turns relaying the torch, with the latter igniting the cauldron to mark the start of the nine-day Games.

The flame shall remain lit during the Games, which will close on Oct. 26.

A 10-minute fireworks display summed up the spectacular opening of the sporting event, which was held on a hilly venue located some 20 kilometers from downtown Kuta.

Indonesia was named the host of the continent's largest multisport beach games during an OCA meeting in Beijing four years ago.

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