BABGOC (Jakarta) – The 1st Press Conference of Asian Beach Games has been doing of the May 30th 2007 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel Jakarta. This is the 2nd Press Conference discussing about the Asian Beach Games event after the 1st one happened on may 4th 2007 in Sanur, Bali. This event tells to the press about the preparation of Indonesia in this name of BABGOC for the 1st Asian Beach Games-Bali 2008.

In this Press Conference all the Logo’s of Asian Beach Games presented in the circle of also the preparation by the committee for Indonesia as a host for 45 Countries in Asia Region

Present in this event, Rita Subowo (President of KONI), Ahmed Solihin (Deputy Director General for Support BABGOC), Djoko Pramono (Deputy Director General for Operation BABGOC), Ramon Suzara (Technical Director BABGOC),Donna Furlong (Promoseven).

The Press Conference started by Mrs. Rita Subowo as the Chairman of KONI who explained about the preparations of the Asian Beach Games and Mr. Djoko Pramono and Mr. Ahmed Solihin give a speech after.

As the pointer of the speaker, Indonesia has been chosen as the host of the Olympic Games in Bali who never happened in Asia. This is also can recover Bali. The President Republic Indonesia, Mr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono supporting the 1st Asian Beach Games in Bali. All preparation includes getting the sponsorship and promotion by website www.bali2008.com has been done.

Indonesia was once the world champion of Dragon Boat. In 1997, Indonesia ranked the top in the International Dragon Boat Festival, followed by China, the country where the sport originated, at the 2nd place.

But similar to the fate of other sports during the monetary crisis that hit the country in 1998, Indonesia’s Dragon Boat sunk pretty deep in the murky waters of financial uncertainty. And up until now they have yet to reemerge to their, once shining, reputation.

Responding to several international invitations to join a Dragon Boat competition, the first time Indonesia was introduced to the competitive arena of Dragon Boat was back in 1985 when the national team participated in Merdeka Games in Brunnei Darussalam. Quite surprisingly, the team won the gold medal. The following championship they participated in was the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival, also in 1985, and even more astonishingly, the team ranked 3rd in the overall race.

According to Budiman Setiawan, the Secretary General of Indonesian Rowing Federation or PODSI, Indonesia was almost unbeatable in every Dragon Boat race starting from 1989, which the major crowning of the national team’s achievement would be the World Champion title, once again, beating China, at the International Dragon Boat Festival in Hong Kong in 1997.

So, naturally Budiman has high hopes for the 1st Asian Beach Games which hopefully will revive the winning streak the Indonesian Dragon Boat team once had. “I think it’s good that we’ll be hosting the Asian Beach Games, because it gives a chance to sports not being competed in the Asian Games to be played. I really want to see Indonesia make its come back as the dragon boat champion.” If there were any worries in the implementation of the event is the costly infrastructure development in the venue competition in Bali. And for the boat itself they will have to buy a new set of boats, preferably imported from Poland or China at a more affordable price as the average cost of a dragon boat is around Rp. 30 million.

As for the athlete’s preparation, next December SEA Games and the rowing national championship or pre-qualification round for PON (the Indonesian National Games) in September in Jatiluhur, Purwokerto, Central Java, will be used to evaluate the performance of potential athletes. (sl).

BABGOC (Jakarta) – The Indonesian Sailing Federation is ready for any future challenges. That is why they have prepared national as well as international championships for their athletes to flourish.

In June 2007, the sailing national championship will be held at Marina Beach, Ancol, involving 200 athletes, said Iwan T. Ngatung, the Head of Competition of Indonesia Sailing Federation. This event will be a precursor to a long term event that will function as an athlete’s training ground for future events, including for the Asian Beach Games. Moreover, the Federation will also hold an international-scale championship that will involve ABG’s participating countries.

For ABG, Iwan said they will conduct a venue test at Jimbaran Beach in Bali by the end of September. He plans to send 25 athletes to the beach sporting event but currently the Federation has yet to decide on who’s going to train the national team for ABG. They have not ruled out on the possibility of importing a foreign coach, but it will all depend on the outcome of the upcoming SEA Games. Ask about his target for ABG, Iwan simply said, “we will do our best.” (sl)

(source: http://www.bali2008.com/66.html)

BABGOC (Jakarta) – The Pre National Championship or Pre-PON for Body Building was held on Saturday (19/05) at Balai Sarbini, The Plaza Semanggi, Jakarta.

The championship, titled ABS Night of Champions, involves 139 body builders from 32 provinces and presents 5 categories: 55kg, 60kg, 65kg, 70kg, 75kg, 80kg, 85kg and 85+kg.

(source: http://www.bali2008.com/69.html)

The championship will also be a qualification stage for bodybuilders who will be participating in next year’s Asian Beach Games in Bali.

The Bali Asian Beach Games 2008 will be held from October 18th – 26th 2008. It is considered to be the largest multi sport beach event in the world and will be attended by more than 50,000 people, from 45 Asian countries and regions.

Bodybuilding will be one of the 14 sports discpline competed during the event. Other sports include sailing, paragliding, surfing, windsurfing, woodball, beach soccer, beach handball, triathlon, marathon swimming, beach sepak takraw, dragon boat and beach volleyball.

At the last category, the event had one big surprise when renowned Indonesian bodybuilder Ade Rai made a comeback in the 85+kg category representing DKI Jakarta.

Here are the lists of top five in each category who will compete at PON XVII in East Kalimantan and ABG next year:

55kg
Fauzan (South Sulawesi)
Wombaki (South Sulawesi)
Agus (East Java)
Uus M. Yusuf (West Java)
Hendi Hendryana (Bangka Belitung)

60kg
Man Suman (Gorontalo)
Ayub Wahyudi (DKI Jakarta)
Asrelawandi (Riau)
Sunarya (West Java)
Yosep (West Irian Jaya)

65kg
Ade Iman (West Java)
Bunadi (Riau)
Hance Poyoh (East Java)
Eduardus (Papua)
Ramadhan (DKI Jakarta)

70kg
M. Heny (Central Java)
Iwan (West Sumatera)
Yulius (Papua)
Arifin (DKI Jakarta)
M. Edeng (West Java)

75kg
Syafrizaldi (Bengkulu)
Taat Pribadi (Central Java)
Putu Mardika (DKI Jakarta)
Lilik Rusdianto (North Sumatera)
Edwind (West Kalimantan)

80kg
Agi Mulyono (South Kalimantan)
M. Kuat (Central Java)
Rahmat (West Java)
Fuadi (DKI Jakarta)
Mozid (Gorontalo)

85kg
Roy (Bangka Belitung)
Muhammad (East Java)
Hendra Zaim (East Kalimantan)
Yudhistira (Yogyakarta)
Ricky Samsuri (DKI Jakarta)

85+kg
Ade Rai (DKI Jakarta)
Leonidas (East Java)
Sandhi Yudha (Aceh)
Dody Lesmana (West Java)
Rahmat (Banten)

BABGOC (Bali) – Asian Beauties from 5 Asian countries, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and China, visits Bali on 9 May 2007.

On this special occasion, the Asian Beauties is introduced to a variety of Balinese art and cultural activities, such as learning Balinese songs and dances, while wearing its beautiful traditional clothes.

They are even preparing an art performance that will be held in Denpasar shortly. As the Asian Beauties represent 5 Asian countries, they carry a mission of friendship between nations, promote and preserve cultural identity, in which one of the means to achieve it is through sports.

One of the first activities they participate is decorating a traditional boat, sailing and “seawalker”, where they watch marine life by being submerged underwater wearing special helmets. Afterwards, they took part in the Journalist Gathering titled “Asian Beach Games For Asia Friendship” on May 14th, 2007 at Puri Santrian, Sanur.

The Asian Beauties is expected to support the promotion of Asian Beach Games which will be held in October 2008 in Bali. Asian Beach Games is the first beach sports event in the world, participated by 45 Asian countries. As the Asian Beauties will often be on the road to promote art and cultural and tourism program to various countries, then it is hoped that they can start a word-of-mouth process to promote and socialize the Asian Beach Games across Asian countries. (sl).

(source: http://www.bali2008.com/68.html)

chinese-delegates

BABGOC (Bali): Indonesia will make history from the 18th – 26th of October 2008 when it plays host to the first Asian Beach Games in the world.

Bali will become the venue of this international event which will see 45 countries participating with over 10,000 athletes, officials, media and volunteers all flocking to the Island of the Gods for this world class event. As the first host, the readiness and successful outcome of ABG in Bali will become the barometer for subsequent event. One of the countries that will play host to the next ABG is China in the year 2012.

The Mayor of Haiyang City, Zou Changqing, and the assembly will visit Bali specifically to observe the preparation for ABG. One of the agenda of the Chinese Delegate is to visit the venues, including the ones located on the beach with special attention to the differences of beaches in Bali and China. The Chinese Delegate will meet and coordinate with the Chairman of KONI Bali, Mr. IG Alit Putra and Executive Director of BABGOC (Bali Asian Beach Games Organizing Committee), Indra Kartasasmita.

Indra Kartasasmita also welcomes the Chinese Delegates, “This is an invaluable opportunity for Indonesia and Chinese to become partners in learning, sharing information and experience for a successful Asian Beach Games.”

The Asian Beach Games is a multi-sport event held once every two years for Asian athletes and it is sanctioned by the OCA (Olympic Council of Asia). The games celebrate cooperation and unity despite differences where athletes from various backgrounds will show off their talent in beach sports. It is hope that the event will strengthen bilateral collaboration between Indonesia and China, as one of the developed countries in Asia, as well as to create a mutually beneficial relationship in the fields of sports and tourism. (sl).

(source: http://www.bali2008.com/67.html)

All Sports

BABGOC (Bali) – The Asian Beach Games is an international multi-event beach sports competition to be held for the first time in Bali on 18 thru 26 October 2008.

The Games will involve 45 countries as well as 10,000 athletes, officials, media and volunteers. So far as 14 sports will be competed, among others beach volleyball, surfing, jetski sport, beach soccer, beach sepak takraw, beach handball, bodybuilding, windsurfing, triathlon, dragon boat, woodball, and marathon swimming. The committee has prepared the game?s facilities in areas like Kuta, Sanur, Jimbaran, Tanjung Benoa and Serangan. The abovementioned facts waere the topic outline of the press conference in Bali as the host for the First Asian Beach Games 2008, held on May 4, 2007 at the Puri Santrian, Sanur.

Present at the press conference was KONI President who is also the Director General of BABGOC (Bali Asian Beach Games Organizing Committee), Ms. Rita Subowo, KONI Bali President, IGB Alit Putra and the Directors of BABGOC.

In her presentation before the local and national media, Ms. Rita Subowo said that the opportunity to host the first ever ABG was a tremendous honour for Indonesia, especially to the Balinese people. “The last time Indonesia hosted an Asia-level sporting event was the Asian Games in 1962. This means that after 45 years we are now just given the second opportunity. Bali was unanimously appointed to host this event,” claims Ms. Rita Subowo.

The Governor of Bali, Mr. Dewa Made Beratha, told the media, in a separate occasion, of his support of the Asian Beach Games 2008. He realizes that this event can refocus the world’s attention to Bali as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia. In line with what the Governor had said, Ms. Rita Subowo invites all participation from the Indonesian people,”We have to support and make the premiere of the Asian Beach Games a big success. Furthermore, Bali is seen as the perfect location. With the event taking place in Bali, it will not only effect the reputation of sports, but it can also positively affect the tourism industry in Bali.”

”I think this is real proof of the contribution of sports for the Bali tourism industry which has seen an upsurge after being plagued by several problems,” add IGB Alit Putra who is also one of the key committee members of the 1st Asian Beach Games 2008

The 1st Asian Beach Games in Bali will cost around Rp. 300 billion to stage. The next event will next be held in Muscat, Oman, in the year 2010, then followed by China (2012) and the Philippines (2014). (sl).

(source: http://www.bali2008.com/62.html)