There will be about 1,200 Indonesian athletes will involve in the first Asian Beach Games, which will be held on Bali Island, from October 2 to 18, 2008.

“Until now there are 30 countries, out of 45, which have confirmed their participations. They have sent list of their athletes who will join the Games,” Rita Subowo, Chairman of KONI (Indonesian Sports Committee), said following her meeting with Vice President Jusuf Kalla.

The Asian Beach Games will have 17 sport numbers competition in four different spots, namely Nusa Dua, Jimbaran, Kuta and Sanur. The Games would be broadcasted live to 100 countries by media using high-end information technology similar to 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).