Bali gears up for maiden Asian Beach Games

Wasti Atmodjo, The Jakarta Post, Sanur, Bali

Indonesia is betting Rp 300 billion (US$32.97 million) that hosting the inaugural Asian Beach Games in Bali next year will provide a much needed tourism boost for the resort island.

National Sports Council (KONI) chairwoman Rita Subowo said here Friday the Rp 300 billion budget for the event would come from the central government, Bali administration and the private sector. The money will be used to build the necessary infrastructure and purchase equipment for the event.

The Oct. 18-26, 2008, beach games will feature 14 sports. About 5,000 athletes from 45 countries are expected to compete for the 200 medals on offer.

Among the featured sports will be beach volleyball, beach sepak takraw, paragliding, jet ski and body building. Events will be held in Sanur, Serangan, Kuta, Jimbaran and Nusa Dua.

Rita said Bali was appointed to host the event during an Olympics Council of Asia meeting, which cited Bali's huge popularity as a tourist destination. The next hosts will be Oman, China and the Philippines.

"It is an honor for Indonesia to host such a historical event. Bali is the perfect place for the games," she said, adding that the province has hosted numerous international sporting events.

The Bali administration has high hopes the event will help increase the number of foreign tourists coming to the island, which was hit by terrorist bombings in 2002 and 2005.

Organizers have begun to promote the event through the "Look for the Beach Games" campaign.

Despite the preparations, Rita remains modest about Indonesia's medal target at the event.

"I just hope that by being the host, the athletes will be motivated to give their best shot and achieve something next year."