President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has promised to make up for any financial shortcomings in the organization of the inaugural Asian Beach Games in Bali, national sports chief says.

"The President said that he was very impressed with the games and told us to go all out with the preparations," Rita Subowo, National Sports Council chairwoman, told reporters after meeting with the President at his office on Monday.

"He further told us not to worry about the lack of funding. The President has asked his staff to raise more money, especially from state-owned companies, to cover the cost," said Rita, who is also the director of Bali Asian Beach Games Organizing Committee (BABGOC).

The meeting was also attended by Vice President Jusuf Kalla and several Cabinet ministers.

Bali will host the inaugural Asian Beach Games from Oct. 18 to 26.

A week before the games' launch, President Susilo will visit the sporting venues in Bali to make sure preparations are on track, Rita said. The President is also scheduled to officially open the games.

Financial provision became an issue, with the organizers struggling to raise funds. The budget is set at around Rp 300 billion (US$32.6 million).

The government has reportedly cashed in Rp 90 billion, Rp 75 billion of which was channeled through the Coordinating Ministry for People's Welfare and Rp 15 billion through the State Ministry for Sport and Youth affairs.

Another Rp 85 billion of fresh funds from the government is ready to be injected to minimize the gap, according to an official, who attended the meeting but refused to be named.

"Pak SBY only asked Bu Rita to focus on making the games a great event," the official added.

Marketing and PR director Sony Subrata earlier said organizers could expect US$5 million from sponsorship.

The Bali Games will feature 17 beach-based sports, which include beach handball, kabaddi, beach pencak silat, sepak takraw, beach soccer, beach volleyball, beach wrestling, bodybuilding, dragon boat racing, jet skiing, marathon swimming, paragliding, sailing, surfing, triathlon, windsurfing and woodball.

Bhutan and Kyrgystan are the only two of the 45 Asian countries yet to confirm their participation in the event which will feature 3,300 athletes, according to sports director Djoko Pramono.

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