On the Scene - First Asian Beach Games in Bali

The beach version of pencak silat, an Indonesian martial art. (Getty Images)The games include 17 sports and 1,500 athletes from 45 member nations of the Olympic Council of Asia. The games end Oct. 26.

Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono opened the games at a ceremony Saturday night, saying that the beach and sport are important components in the everyday lives of the people of Indonesia.

“If you travel anywhere in this country you will always see the sight of children playing happily by the beach – running, football, volley ball, martial arts, swimming, paddling, rowing and boating - it is part of our way of life,” Yudhoyono told guests at the ceremony.

“I assure you we have worked very hard to ensure the success of this great sporting event.”

IOC president Jacques Rogge and Olympic Council of Asia president Sheik Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah and 11 Asian heads of state or government, were among guests at a spectacular gala opening ceremony at Garuda Wisnu Kencana Monument. Opening ceremony for the Asian Beach Games Oct. 18. (Getty Images)

Earlier on Saturday, Yudhoyono, Rogge and Al-Sabah had met at the Four Season resort in Jimbaran, where the IOC president is staying during his two-day Bali visit.

Yudhoyono says that there is also a bigger picture to consider and the Games are a welcome diversion to all that is happening around the world, citing challenges including economic crisis, conflict, violence, disease, and poverty.

“I see the first Asian Beach Games as an agent to advance the harmony of civilization,” he says.

OCA chief Sheik Al-Sabah thanked Yudhoyono, Indonesia and the people of Bali for supporting the Asian Beach Games and welcoming “their brothers and sisters from Asia with open arms”.

“The Olympic Council of Asia, through these beach games, is not only promoting the spirit of sport but also providing a chance for the youth of Asia to represent their country and perform to the best of their ability in sports which otherwise would not Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (l) meets with OCA President Sheikh Al-Fahad Al Shabbah and IOC President Jacques Rogge. (Getty Images)find a global audience,” he says.

“I am confident that the first Asian Beach Games in Bali will add a new and bright chapter to the history of the Asian Olympic movement.”

Despite the optimism, the games face a financial crunch.

Ahmed Solihin, BABGOC deputy of finance and treasury, says in a statement that contingencies are in place to deal with various scenarios, including rescheduling any due payments in the worst cases.

“We are certain that all is manageable (with) both income and cost. We reviewed all the income to be adjusted to the cost and spending,” Solihin says.

Games organizer BABGOC is catering for more than 500 journalists, setting Beach soccer on opening day in Bali, hundreds of empty seats in the background.(Getty Images)up media facilities at Kuta Beach, Sanur Beach, Nusa Dua-Benoa and Serangan Island.

The security effort incorporates a total of about 10,000 personnel, drawn from the military and police department including the anti-riot and anti-terror squads as well as the cavalry and canine units.

The OCA Executive Board meeting and OCA General Assembly will also be held on the sidelines of the Games early next week.

Among the highlights at the OCA General Assembly will be presentations by each of the four 2016 Olympics candidate cities – Chicago, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo.

The gathering of NOCs from Asia will also hear progress reports from various organizers of the packed program of OCA events, including the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou and 2014 edition in Incheon, the second and third Asian Beach Games in Muscat, Oman and Haiyang, China and the third Asian Indoor Games in Hanoi.

All future event hosts – including 2009 Youth Olympic Games organizers Singapore – have set up promotional booths in the hallway to the main ballroom at the Ayodya Hotel and Resort in Nusa Dua.

Written by Anthony Stavrinos

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