1St Asian Beach Game, Bali

Bali makes history as it hosts the 1st Asian Beach Games from 18 to 26 October 2008.

The opening ceremony will be held in monumental park Garuda Wisnu Kencana in Nusa Dua. Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will officially open the games when the torch reaches Garuda Wisnu Kencana.

The opening ceremony will highlight Indonesia's diverse culture and arts, and will feature international performers such as Anggun from Indonesia (now based in France), Christian Bautista from the Philippines, and Indonesian musical talents like Gita Gutawa and Erwin Gutawa.

Anggun will sing the games anthem "Together We Inspire the World."

About 41 heads-of-state and several very important figures including British royal family and Qatari royal family members have confirmed their presence at the opening ceremony.

The 2008 Asian Beach Games will be closed by Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla.

There are 45 Asian countries confirmed to participate in the games with Bhutan, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan being the latest addition. Thailand will send the most number of athletes while the host country, Indonesia, will have the second largest delegation. Indonesia and Thailand are the only countries that will participate in all 19 sporting events.

1st Asian Beach Games logo

Paticipating Countries

Bangladesh
Bhutan
Bahrain
Brunei
Cambodia
China
Hong Kong
Indonesia
India
Iran
Iraq
Jordan
Japan
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Korea
Kuwait
Lao PDR
Lebanon
Macau, China
Malaysia
Maldives
Mongolia
Myanmar
Nepal
Oman
Pakistan
Philippines
Palestine
DPR Korea
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
Sri Lanka
Syria
Thailand
Tajikistan
Turkmenistan
Timor-Leste
Chinese Taipei 1
United Arab Emirates
Uzbekistan
Vietnam
Yemen

Bali

Venues and Sporting Events

Kuta Beach
Bodybuilding, Dragon Boat Racing, Surfing

Nusa Dua - Benoa
Beach Basketball, Beach Kabaddi, Beach Pencak Silat, Water Polo, Beach Wrestling, Jetski, Paragliding, Woodball

Sanur Beach
Beach Handball, Beach Sepaktakraw, Beach Soccer, Beach Volleyball, Marathon Swimming, Triathlon

Serangan Island
Sailing, Windsurfing