2008 Asian Beach Games

Asiad infobox
Name = I Asian Beach Games

Size = 150
Host city = Bali, Indonesia
Optional caption = Slogan: "Inspire the World"
Nations participating = 45
Athletes participating = 6000 (est.)
Events = 19 sports
Opening ceremony = October 18, 2008
Closing ceremony = October 26, 2008
Officially opened by = President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
Athlete's Oath =
Judge's Oath =
Torch Lighter = -
Stadium = Nusa Dua-Benoa Cluster

The 1st Asian Beach Games will be held in Bali, Indonesia from October 18, 2008 to October 26, 2008. The opening ceremony will be held in monumental park Garuda Wisnu Kencana in Nusadua, Badung.

Bidding Process

There is currently not a bidding process for Bali to host the inaugural edition of the Asian Beach Games. Although there are 6 other country that show their interest to host the games, but Bali chosen by acclamation to host the games.

It will be the second time for Indonesia to host an Asia level multi-sports event, after Jakarta held the 1962 Asian Games.

Torch Relay

The Bali Asian Beach Games Torch Relay started on October 8 2008 at Mrapen, Grobogan, Central Java which famous with its eternal flame where the flame litted with the aid of natural gas.

From Mrapen, the torch will be carried to Semarang. In the capital city of Central Java, the torch will be carried to the Governor Office by Indonesia's famous sprinter, Suryo Agung Wibowo.

On October 9 2008, the torch planned to arrive in Jakarta. On the next day, the torch will be paraded from the City Hall to Indonesia's Minister of Youth and Sport Office, and finally arrive at the Istana Merdeka to be given to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

On October 10 2008, the torch will heading Bali for an 9 days inland tour accross 10 region (1 city and 9 regencies).

More than 500 (45 people per district) will be involved in the Torch Relay as the torchbearer, they are came from the sports world, from athletes (local, national, and international), coaches, and officials. Besides that, it will be more than 2,000 people who will participate in the parade.

The journey is expected to showcase Indonesian culture especially Balinese traditional art, dance, and music to international audiences.

Logo

The Official Logo of the 1st Asian Beach Games Bali 2008 represents the water element that embodies the sporting event.

The shining sun comes from the emblem of the Olympic Council of Asia and represents its vital role in Asia's sport development and spreading energy created by the solidarity of the OCA.

The selection of the light and deep-blue effects represents the color of Balinese waters.

The two vertical lines represent two Pura (Balinese Hindu temple), an image of the gate to a Balinese house of worship which is signifies the ultimate hospitality of the Bali society in honouring and welcoming people from all over Asia.

The two big waves represent the commitment as well as the enthusiasm of the host city to hold the 1st Asian Beach Games.

The letters "BALI 2008" are red to show the spirit of sportsmanship and the typeface selection emphasizes the pride of all athletes competing in Bali.

Mascot

The official mascot of the 1st Asian Beach Games is Bali Starling ("Leucopsar Rothschildi"), locally known as “Jalak Bali”, as well as the official mascot of Bali and a bird species endemic to this Island.

The bird symbolizes Bali with all its uniqueness and serves as a reminder that the bird, like Bali, is beautiful, yet sacred. It is therefore apt that the official mascot of Bali was chosen as the official mascot for the first Bali Asian Beach Games.

Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony of the 1st Asian Beach Games will be held in the Garuda Wisnu Kencana, a great monumental cultural park in Nusa Dua, the most luxurious region in Bali.

Indonesian President, Yudhoyono will officially open the games when the torch reach the Garuda Wisnu Kencana.

The show will highlights Indonesian cultural arts, and will feature international performers such as Anggun from France and Christian Bautista from the Philippines, and also famous national singer and composer, such as Gita Gutawa and Erwin Gutawa.

Anggun, a French Singer who formerly an Indonesian resident, will sing the games anthem, "Together We Inspire the World".

About 41 country leaders and several very important persons, including British Royal Family and Qatari Royal Family members, have also confirmed their presence at the opening ceremony.

The 2008 Asian Beach Games will be closed by Indonesia's Vice President, Jusuf Kalla.

Events

All of the venues for the Asian Beach Games located in Badung, southernmost regency of Bali and in Denpasar, the capital of Bali.

Venues

* Kuta BeachBodybuilding, Dragon Boat Racing, Surfing
* Nusa Dua - BenoaBeach Basketball, Beach Kabaddi, Beach Pencak Silat, Water Polo, Beach Wrestling, Jetski, Paragliding, Woodball
* Sanur BeachBeach Handball, Beach Sepaktakraw, Beach Soccer, Beach Volleyball, Marathon Swimming, Triathlon
* Serangan IslandSailing, Windsurfing

Participating NOCs

There are 45 Asian countries confirmed to participate in the game with Bhutan, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan being the latest participant.
Thailand will send most athletes among other NOCs, while the host, Indonesia will send the second largest team. Both NOCs are the only country that will participate in all 19 sports.
*flagicon|AFG Afghanistan
*flagicon|BAN Bangladesh
*flagicon|BHU Bhutan
*flagicon|BHR Bahrain
*flagicon|BRU Brunei
*flagicon|KHM Cambodia
*flagicon|CHN China
*flagicon|HKG Hong Kong
*flagicon|INA Indonesia
*flagicon|IND India
*flagicon|IRN Iran
*flagicon|IRQ|2004 Iraq
*flagicon|JOR Jordan
*flagicon|JPN Japan
*flagicon|KAZ Kazakhstan
*flagicon|KGZ Kyrgyzstan
*flagicon|KOR Korea
*flagicon|KWT Kuwait
*flagicon|LAO Lao PDR
*flagicon|LBN Lebanon
*flagicon|MAC Macau, China
*flagicon|MAS Malaysia
*flagicon|MDV Maldives
*flagicon|MGL Mongolia
*flagicon|MYA Myanmar
*flagicon|NEP Nepal
*flagicon|OMA Oman
*flagicon|PAK Pakistan
*flagicon|PHI Philippines
*flagicon|PSE Palestine
*flagicon|PRK DPR Korea
*flagicon|QAT Qatar
*flagicon|KSA Saudi Arabia
*flagicon|SIN Singapore
*flagicon|SRI Sri Lanka
*flagicon|SYR Syria
*flagicon|THA Thailand
*flagicon|TJK Tajikistan
*flagicon|TKM Turkmenistan
*flagicon|TLS Timor-Leste
*flagicon|TPE Chinese Taipei ¹
*flagicon|UAE United Arab Emirates
*flagicon|UZB Uzbekistan
*flagicon|VIE Vietnam
*flagicon|YEM Yemen

"fnb|1" Chinese Taipei is the official International Olympic Committee designation the Republic of China

ecurity

With many foreign visitors and delegates coming to Bali, including a lot of very important persons, security would be the priority for Bali Asian Beach Games Organizing Committee (BABGOC).

BABGOC Director, Rita Subowo, said that security would be a priority during the whole event, and the overall security will be managed by Bali Governor Ins. Gen. Ret. I Made Mangku Pastika

The Bali new governor, I Made Mangku Pastika is a former policeman, so many peoples believe he can control the security during the games well.

ponsorship

The inaugural Asian Beach Games have more than five committed sponsors, such as:
* Carisbrook (official wardrobe)
* Pertamina (Indonesian state-owned oil company)
* Panasonic
* Samsung

External links

* [http://www.ocasia.org/24D.asp OCA decision on the Asian Beach Games]
* [http://www.bali2008.com Official site]