There will be about 1,200 Indonesian athletes and more than 10,000 more from other 44 countries will involve in the first Asian Beach Games in history, which will be held on the Paradise Island of Bali, from October 2 to 18, 2008.

“Up to now there are 30 countries, out of 45, that have give their confirmation of their participations. They have also sent their athletes registrations who will join the Games,” Rita Subowo, Chairman of KONI (Indonesian Sports Committee), said following her meeting with Vice President Jusuf Kalla.

There will be four different spots used by this big event namely Nusa Dua, Jimbaran, Kuta, and Sanur. And 17 sport numbers will be held for competitions. Surely this premiere event will be broadcaseted live to 100 countries using high-end information technology media like those used in the Olympic and the Asian Games, she said.

Among those 17 numbers are surfing, wind surfing, wood sport, diving, takraw, marathon swimming and traditional boat. More than 10,000 athletes from 45 countries were expected to join the Games. And off course, there will be great numbers of tourists travelling to Bali from around the world to view this premiere event.

The next Asian Beach Games will be held in Oman (2010), China (2012), the Philippines (2016) and Thailand (2016).