To moderate the increasing number of events in the Asian Games, the Olympic Council of Asia decided to create the Asian Beach Games, a bi-annual multi-sport event among athletes from the different countries of Asia. The sports included are those with strong television appeal such as windsurfing, kiteboarding, swimming, beach volleyball, beach handball, beach soccer, dragon boat racing and etc.
Without bidding, the Olympic Council of Asia awarded the hosting rights of the 1st Asian Beach Games to the resort island of Bali in Indonesia which is scheduled to open 18 October 2008. The Games shall feature Beach Handball, Beach Kabaddi, Beach Pencak Silat, Beach Sepak Takraw, Beach Soccer, Beach Volleyball, Beach Wrestling, Body Building, Dragon Boat Racing, Jet-Ski Sport, Marathon Swimming, Paragliding, Sailing, Surfing, Triathlon, Windsurfing and Woodball.
The Bali Asian Beach Games Organizing Committee (BABGOC)is the principal organizing body for the Games, duly-supervised by the OCA.
The 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 the color of the Balinese waters at the beach.
The two vertical lines represent two "pura" (Balinese Hindu temple), an image of the gate to the Balinese house of worship which is signifies the ultimate hospitality of the Bali society in honoring and welcoming people from all over Asia.
The two big waves represent the commitment as well as the enthusiasm of the host city to run the 1st Asian Beach Games.
The letters "BALI 2008" are red to show the spirit of sportsmanship and that typeface selection emphasizes the pride of all athletes competing in Bali.
"Djalak" is the Mascot of the 1st Asian Beach Games Bali 2008.
The Concept of the Mascot is based on the Djalak Bali (Bali Starling), a bird that can only be found in Bali.
It symbolized that Bali, with its uniqueness will organize the Asian Beach Games to the best of standards.
An endangered species, the mascot serves a reminder to the world that the bird is beautiful but yet sacred.
The Bali Starling, Leucopsar Rothschildi, is a medium-sized, up to 25cm long bird, which is almost wholly white with a long, drooping crest, and black tips on the wings and tail.
In 1991, the Bali Starling was declared as the fauna symbol of Bali.
The Opening Ceremony for the 1st Asian Beach Games Bali 2008 will be held on October 18, 2008 at the GWK (Garuda Wisnu Kencana) in Bukit in Jimbaran . The GWK Covers 239 hectares of land and boasts a statue that was planned to stand taller than the Empire State building in the USA, how ever due to economical reasons, the statue construction was halted in 2003. Wisnu or Vishnu is the Hindu God who is the protector-part of the Hindu trinity, which is Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver and Shiva the destroyer. The unique statue of half man half bird will one day be a national landmark. In front of the head of the garuda bird which has already been completed is an open air stage and amphi-theater for various events and ceremonies. The area will comfortably fit about 5000 invitations only guests for the opening ceremony of the 1st Asian Beach Games. "The Opening Ceremony will be a grand opening to the 1st Asian Beach Games. We will present entertainment that will be uniquely Balinese and Indonesian", hints Mr. Ervan Ibrahim, Director of events and ceremonies for Babgoc. The Closing Ceremony for the Games will also be held at the GWK Venue.
The Games' slogan is "Inspire the World".
Goodluck to Bali! Goodluck Asian Beach Games!
Visit the Bali2008 Website
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