Asian Beach Games ready to kick off

The first Asian Beach Games will be held in Bali, Indonesia from October 18, 2008 to October 26, 2008. This new competition, organized by the Olympic Council of Asia, will now be held every two years. The OCA expects it to become a complement to the Olympic Games. This unique international event will see 45 countries and regions participating with over 6,000 athletes flocking to the island.

They will compete in 19 different sports such as sailing, surfing, paragliding, beach volleyball, beach soccer, jet skiing, triathlon or water polo.

People will also have the opportunity of discovering more traditional sports such as bodybuilding, beach wrestling, sepaktakraw or Pencak Silat, a traditional Indonesian martial art.

Indonesian President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will officially open the games which are going to a mix between competition and party.

Although there are six other countries that show their interest in hosting the games, Bali has been chosen by acclamation to host the competition.

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

Despite some financing difficulties in the last few months, the four different venues should be ready for the beginning of the competition.

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

The new governor of Bali is a former policeman and Balinese people believe he can ensure everyone’s security during the event.