BABGOC (Jakarta) – Indonesia may yet to have a solid Triathlon team, even its core organization has only been formed recently.

But prior to the Asian Beach Games in Bali next year, the Triathlon sports will be invigorated so as to make it one of the top and reliable sports in this maritime country, said Mark Sungkar, the Chairman of the Indonesian Triathlon Organization.

The national training in each region has already started from early January and will run until August 2007 and other supporting training program will be implemented as well. Included in their agenda is on May 2, the Triathlon Organization have sent two of their trainers for one week to take a training course organized by the International Triathlon Union (ITU) in Canada. Afterwards the two trainers will be given the task of guiding and preparing the triathlon national team for ABG. But that doesn’t rule out the possibility of bringing in a foreign trainer. For next year event, the triathlon team will be strengthening by the presence of promising young athlete, Andi Johan (13), the brother of runner, Johari Johan.

Mark Sungkar said that for next year event he’s not targeting anything too lofty considering that triathlon is a relatively new sport in Indonesia and consequently in terms of achievement there is none to prove yet. So an intensified training session for the Indonesian triathlon team will definitely be implemented for next year’s competition. (sl)

(source: http://www.bali2008.com/65.html)

BABGOC (Jakarta) – How much do you know about woodball? Do you even know the existence of this unique sport? The game, which has been branded as a walk-in-the-park easy yet beneath the wood club, woodball, and the triangular wood score gate, lies an intricate and hard-to-master technique that some will say equals the sharp precision technique of golf. Woodball originated from Taiwan in the early 1990’s by its resident Mr. Weng Meng Hui, and since then has promisingly gain popularity in other Asian Nations.

In Taiwan alone tens of thousands of people played this entertaining game, and it has been acknowledged as a sporting event by the Asian Olympics Council in 1999. In 2001, the 1st Asian woodball championship was held at Lanjut Beach Resort Woodball course in Malaysia and in 2004, the 1st World Cup Woodball Championship was held in Chinese-Taipei.

So undoubtedly it is an honour for Indonesia for the first time to host a woodball competition amongst Asian Nations in, what is also to be the first of its kind, the 1st Asian Beach Games, scheduled to be held in 2008.

Woodball is not yet popular in Indonesia. The number of athletes is still scarce and until recently the sport has yet to have an official organization. But luckily the sport has the support from several avid local players and other Asian Countries who want this sport to be included in the competition line-up. Mr. Tanaludin Jecky and Dr. Ir. H. Nugroho W. comes from Semarang, East Java, and their passion for woodball has encourage them to form a woodball organization that aims to attract and train future athletes and, of course, in the long run, trying to promote and socialize the sport in the minds of Indonesian sports-fanatics.

Mr. Jecky admits Indonesia’s sports-loving people have yet to be familiar with this particular game, and it was intrinsically implied from his tone of voice that this was unfortunate. “Woodball was created so it can alter the image of golf which evidently belongs to upper class society,” he says. “This sport creates an avenue for the middle class and which in the future will be able to compete on an equal term. What’s more is that woodball doesn?t need a specifically designed course, the sport can be played over an ordinary grass, and we use the existing natural surroundings.”

When asked about what are his expectations from the Asian Beach Games, he simply replied with, “Gold. We want to win the gold medal so we can be famous in Indonesia.”

Ask further whether the government lends a hand to the development of this game, Mr. Jecky optimistically answers,”We will. After the 1st Asian Beach Games, we will popularize the sport and the support will come. We have high hopes that we could be like in Malaysia or Singapore in which the government gives a 100% support to develop and nurture this sport. Hopefully with this backing we can have a proper field and attract more people into this game. With the majority of the population of Indonesia comprises of middle-income individuals, I’m sure the Woodball sport in no time will gradually attract a bigger and loyal fan base.” (sl).

(source: http://www.bali2008.com/54.html)

BABGOC (Bali) – Indonesia is entrusted to host the annual forum of the OCA (Olympic Council of Asia) in Bali, Indonesia. Ms. Rita Subowo, the President on the Indonesian National Olympic Committee, Vice President of the OCA as well as the Director General of BABGOC (Bali Asian Beach Games Organizing Committee), stated that hosting the event in Bali is an honour for all Indonsians. “We are proud to be able to host this prestigeous conference. It shows how much the OCA trusts Indonesians.”

Bearing the theme “Olympic Solidarity Regional Forum for Southeast Asia” the conference discussed international sports-related issues, such as how to prepare a multi-event championship and what sort of assistance can be provided to the development of sports in ASEAN countries, such as the holding of a continuous and extensive training and management program. Other topics include sports marketing, games and athlete’s preparation, games logistic preparation, accreditation service and press operations.

The forum involved 40 representatives of the ASEAN Countries Olympic Committee, representatives from the OCA, including the Director General, Mr. Husein Al-Musallam, representatives from the Olympic Solidarity and a team of surveyors. The world-class forum is part of the program being implemented by OCA and International Olympic Committee.

Additional activities include the exhibition of two sports that will be competed in ABG: Woodball at the Intercontinental Hotel and Paragliding at Timbis, Tanjung Benoa. (sl).

(source: http://www.bali2008.com/133.html)

BABGOC (Jakarta) – The logo of the 1st Asian Beach Games, developed by BABGOC, represents the unique characteristics of Bali. The flowing design represents the water element that embodies the beach sports. The shining sun comes from the emblem of the Olympic Council of Asia, where its role in Asia’s sport development and solidarity is very crucial.

The selection of the light and deep blue colours reflects the open sky and the ocean, while the two vertical lines symbolize the two gates of a “pura” or Balinese Hindu temple. The two big waves show the commitment as well as the enthusiasm of the host city to run the Asian Beach Games. The word BALI is colored red to show the spirit of sportsmanship of all athletes to be competing at the Games.

The mascot is also uniquely Bali. This Balinese bird, called the Bali Starling (Leucopsar rothschildi), or in the local language “Djalak Bali” signifies a beautiful bird of Bali which is considered an endangered species. The mascot also proudly shows an Olympic Council of Asia logo on its chest.

“The logo and the mascot were developed by a professional team of designers. The end result is uniquely Balinese and at same time rich in meaning. We are currently promoting the logo and the mascot in our marketing and public relations activities,” explains Mr. Sony Subrata, Director of Marketing and Public Relations.(yl)

(source: http://www.bali2008.com/173.html)

BABGOC (Bali) – After going through several training sessions and exhibitions, the Indonesian Paragliding team is now focusing their minds and energy in scrutinizing the terrain of the Asian Beach Games venue in Bali.

The national team is now at the venue and will be staying there until June 21st. This is aim to adapt the athletes with the terrain and the natural weather condition of the competition venue in Nusa Dua According to Djoko Pisowarno, the head of Indonesian Paragliding Organization, the venue at Nusa Dua is the most ideal place to set the paragliding race. “The weather is very good and conducive for a paragliding competition,” he said. A bright sunny weather and a good strong wind is all that is needed since it will definitely play a large part during the competition.
Testing the venues is also meant as a preparation to face the upcoming qualification games for Asian Beach Games in October 19 – 26 2007 which will take place at the Nusa Dua venue. (sl)
(source: http://www.bali2008.com/131.html)