2008 Asian Beach Games


The 2008 Asian Beach Games, the inaugural Asian Beach Games, was held in Bali, Indonesia, from 18 to 26 October 2008. The opening ceremony was held in the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park in Nusa Dua.

Organisation

Bidding process

There was no bidding process for Bali to host the games. Although six other countries showed an interest, Bali was chosen by acclamation.
It was the second time that Indonesia had hosted an Asia-level multi-sport event, after Jakarta held the 1962 Asian Games.

Logo

The official logo of the games 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 the spreading energy created by the solidarity of the OCA. The selection of the light and deep-blue effects represents the color of Balinese waters. The two vertical lines represent two pura, an image of the gate to a Balinese house of worship which signifies the ultimate hospitality of the Bali society in honouring and welcoming people from all over Asia. The two big waves represent the commitment as well as the enthusiasm of the host city to holding the first Asian Beach Games.
The letters "BALI 2008" are in red to show the spirit of sportsmanship and the typeface selection emphasizes the pride of all athletes competing in Bali.

Mascot

The official mascot of the First Asian Beach Games was the Bali starling, locally known as "jalak Bali", the official mascot of Bali and a bird species endemic to the island.
The bird symbolizes Bali with all its uniqueness and serves as a reminder that the bird, like Bali, is beautiful, yet sacred. It is therefore apt that the official mascot of Bali was chosen as the official mascot for the first Bali Asian Beach Games.

Venues

There were five venues for this games.
VenueSports
Kuta BeachBodybuilding, dragon boat, surfing
Nusa Dua - Benoa3x3 basketball, beach kabaddi, pencak silat, water polo, beach wrestling, jet ski, paragliding, beach woodball
Sanur BeachBeach sepak takraw, beach volleyball
Mertasari BeachBeach handball, beach soccer, Open water swimming, triathlon
Serangan IslandSailing

Sponsorship

Sponsors include Swatch, Carisbrook, Pertamina, Panasonic and Samsung.

Broadcasting

A joint venture between Host Broadcast Services and IMG Media named the International Games Broadcast Services served as the games' host broadcaster. This was the first sporting event broadcast by the company as it previously broadcast the Doha 2006 Asian Games under the name Doha Asian Games Broadcast Services.

Torch relay

The Bali Asian Beach Games Torch Relay started on 8 October 2008 at Mrapen in Grobogan, Central Java, famous for its eternal flame. The flame was lit with the aid of natural gas.
From Mrapen, the torch was carried to Semarang, the capital city of Central Java, where the torch was carried to the Governor Office by Indonesia's famous sprinter, Suryo Agung Wibowo.
On 9 October 2008, the torch arrived in Jakarta. On the next day, the torch was paraded from the City Hall to Indonesia's Minister of Youth and Sport Office, and finally arrived at the Istana Merdeka to be given to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
On 10 October 2008, the torch headed to Bali for a nine-day inland tour across ten regions.
More than 500 people were involved in the torch relay as torch bearers. They came from the sports world as local, national and international athletes, coaches and officials. More than 2,000 people participated in the parade.
The journey was a showcase of Indonesian culture to international audiences, especially Balinese traditional art, dance and music.

Highlights

The opening ceremony was held in the Garuda Wisnu Kencana, a great monumental cultural park in Nusa Dua, the most luxurious region in Bali.
President Yudhoyono officially opened the games when the torch reached the Garuda Wisnu Kencana.
The ceremony highlighted Indonesian cultural arts and included international performers such as Mark Lazarro from India and Christian Bautista from the Philippines, as well as famous Indonesian singers and composers, such as Reza Artamevira, Andre Hehanusa and Erwin Gutawa.
Andre Hehanusa, Christian Bautista and Mark Lazarro sang "To Be One" while the Indonesian female singer, Reza Artamevira, performed the games anthem, "Together We Inspire the World".
About 41 country leaders and several very important persons, including members of the British Royal Family and the Qatari Royal Family, attended the opening ceremony.
The 2008 Asian Beach Games were closed by Indonesia's Vice President, Jusuf Kalla, on 26 October 2008.
A countdown clock cost Rp800 million was situated at Lumintang Field.

Sports

41 Asian countries participated in the games.

Calendar

October 200818th
Sat		19th
Sun		20th
Mon		21st
Tue		22nd
Wed		23rd
Thu		24th
Fri		25th
Sat		26th
Sun		Gold
medals
3x3 basketball●●22
Beach handball●●●●●●●22
Beach kabaddi●●●22
Beach sepak takraw●●●2●●24
Beach soccer●●●●●●●●11
Beach volleyball●●●●●●●●22
Beach water polo●●●11
Beach woodball●●●224
Beach wrestling224
Bodybuilding●66
Dragon boat2226
Jet ski●314
Open water swimming224
Paragliding●●●448
Pencak silat●2●68
Sailing●●●66
Surfing111115
Triathlon22
Total gold medals597125915971
CeremoniesOCCC
October 200818th
Sat		19th
Sun		20th
Mon		21st
Tue		22nd
Wed		23rd
Thu		24th
Fri		25th
Sat		26th
Sun		Gold
medals

Medal table