The National Olympic Association (ANOC) has surveyed and declared Bali ready to host the ANOC World Beach Games (AWBG) in 2023.
Indonesia will host the 2nd edition of the World Beach Games scheduled to be held in Bali from 5-12 August 2023, encompassing ten different categories of sports competition.
The ten categories of sports will include an aquathlon, beach volleyball (4×4), beach soccer, beach tennis, beach handball, beach water polo, beach wrestling, individual karate matches, windsurfing, and a 5 km beach open ocean swimming competition. Plans are to include four additional branches of beach sport – 2 proposed by the host country and 2 by the ANOC.
In preparation for the 2023 World Beach Games, a member of the Executive Council of the ANOC and the Chief of the Event Commission, Timothy Fok, and the Secretary-General, Gunila Lindberg, personally visited Bali on 7-12 July 2022 for an inspection tour.
During their visit to Indonesia, the ANOC representatives met with the Indonesian Minister of Sports, Zainudin Amali, to discuss preparations for the World Beach Games 2023. The advance delegation visited sporting venues for AWBG Bali 2023 in Kuta, Nusa Dua, Garuda Wisnu Kencana, and Sanur. Also inspected were accommodation providers, medical facilities, transportation networks, and locations suitable for opening and closing ceremonies.
The results of these discussion and site surveys will be presented to a technical meeting of the International Federation of the ANOC that will take place in Bali in September 2022.
Gunila Lindberg of the ANOC said on Wednesday, 13 July 2022: “We enjoyed a productive meeting in Bali and Jakarta and look forward eagerly to extraordinary cooperation with Indonesia in the coming few months.” Continuing, she said: “We have no doubts that the 2023 event in Bali will become a multi-event on beautiful beaches. We will work with the Indonesian organizing committee to ensure that all participating athletes experience an amazing event.”
The ANOC delegation and Indonesia’s Olympic Committee also met with Bali Governor Wayan Koster, who declared his support for the coming AWBG. He said Bali is committed to providing infrastructure access and support to ensure the success of the games.
The Indonesian Olympic Committee and ANOC delegates also met with several Indonesian agencies, including BUMN Minister and Indonesian Olympic Committee Member Erick Thohir, The Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Zainudin Amali, the Deputy Minister of Tourism and the Creative Economy Angela Tanoesoedibjo. All government elements pledge their full support to the coming AWBG.
The chairman of the Indonesian Olympic Committee, Sapta Oktohari, is confident that AWBG Bali will not only advance the sports sector but also bring positive benefits to the tourism sector and the national economy. The promotion of sports tourism is also in keeping with the guidance given by Indonesian President Joko Widodo. Sapta said President Widodo welcomed the news that Bali will host AWBG 2023 and immediately instructed the Minister of Finance to support the event and its eventual success.
AWBG features a range of beach sports activities expected to attract 1,200 athletes and 1,400 officials from 100 countries.
