Beyond Just A Game: Bali Asian Beach Games, 2008.

The opening ceremony of the first Asian Beach Games was conducted last night (18/10) at Lotus Pond, Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK), Bali.  The caldron lit by I Gusti Oka Sulaksana, Asian Beach Surfing gold medalist. Top Asian singers Christian Bautista from the Philippines, Mark Lazaro from India, Marwan Khury from Lebanon, Reza Artamevia and Andre Hehanusa from Indonesia teamed up performing “Inspire the world” the theme song of the 1^st Asian Beach Games supported by 1,700 dancers. There were VVIP from 45 participating Asian nations and regions attended the event. Soesilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the President of Republic Indonesia was witnessing the ceremony and has spoken  to foster unity among the participating nations in his opening remarks. As there are more than 1000 medals are to be given only to the top, approximately 4000 athletes and officials are ready to battle and sweat to earn as many medals for their country. 5000 volunteers that are involved from October 18-26, 2008, are working hand in hand with Bali Asian Beach Games Organizing Committee (BABGOC), making sure the event runs successfully. While 500 journalists of mix media are eager to cover this historical sporting event. 

Historical? Yes, it is. Bali Asian Beach Games is happened to be the first Asian Beach Games. It’s not just the first in Asia, the game that involves 17 sport disciplines, is also the first multi beach sport games in the world! Further more, the best performers of the games also set the first Asian Beach Games standards and records.

It all began in Beijing in 2004. In a meeting of Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), all members of OCA decided to appoint Indonesia (Bali) as the host of the first Asian Beach Games, by acclamation. Rita Soebowo, Chairwoman of Indonesian Olympic Committee, who also sits as the Vice President of OCA, then brought the good news to Indonesia and formed Bali Asian Beach Games Organizing Committee. Wherein Indonesia, the history of Asian Beach Games started as Suryo Agung, SEA Games gold medalist and record holder in men 100m and 200m sprint athletic, ignited the Asian Beach Games’ torch from the natural flames in Mrapen, Central of Java, and started to relay the flames to Jakarta, before it reached Bali and lit the Asian Beach Games’ caldron at the opening ceremony at GWK, which symbolizes the spirit of the participants.

Do we all should feel proud and actively giving support in making Bali Asian Beach Games a successful event? Yes, indeed. After all Indonesia have been through in the past, Bali Asian Beach Games will surely put Indonesia back in the world map. On top of that, sport is not just a game. My mom used to tell me that sport is the perfect mediums that teaches and trains people how to live life in this world. There is goal in life, so does sport. If you want to achieve those goals, you have to prepare yourself to be physically and mentally strong. You ought to work hard, think smart, obey the rules, fair and honest, be patient and able to work in a team. If you have all of these criteria, which sport teaches you, then you are ready to win the competition in whatever you do in life. If you top everybody in the competition, you surely can live and make your family and country very proud. I agree. Sport is not just sport, Bali Asian Beach Games is not just a game!