2008 Asian Beach Games

Last updated
1st Asian Beach Games
Pesta Olahraga Pantai Asia Pertama
2008 Asian Beach Games logo.svg
Logo of the 2008 Asian Beach Games.
Host city Bali, Indonesia
MottoInspire the World
Nations41
Athletes1,665
Events71 in 19 sports
Opening18 October
Closing26 October
Opened by Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
President of Indonesia
Athlete's Oath Andi Ardiansyah
Judge's Oath Pergunan Tarigan
Torch lighter Agus Salim
Taufik Hidayat
Oka Sulaksana
Main venue Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park
Website bali2008.com

The 2008 Asian Beach Games or ABG 2008 (Indonesian : Pesta Olahraga Pantai Asia 2008, Pesta Olahraga Pantai Asia Dua Ribu Delapan), officially the 1st Asian Beach Games (Indonesian : Pesta Olahraga Pantai Asia Pertama) and commonly as Bali 2008 (Indonesian : Bali 2008, Bali Dua Ribu Delapan), 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. [1]

Contents

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.

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 (OCA) 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 (Balinese Hindu temple), 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

Official mascot, jalak Bali the Bali starling 1st beach asiad mascot.png
Official mascot, jalak Bali the Bali starling

The official mascot of the First Asian Beach Games was the Bali starling (Leucopsar rothschildi), 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 Beach Bodybuilding, dragon boat, surfing
Nusa Dua - Benoa 3x3 basketball, beach kabaddi, pencak silat, water polo, beach wrestling, jet ski, paragliding, beach woodball
Sanur Beach Beach sepak takraw, beach volleyball
Mertasari BeachBeach handball, beach soccer, Open water swimming, triathlon
Serangan Island Sailing

Sponsorship

Sponsors include Swatch (official timekeeper and information system provider), Carisbrook (official wardrobe), Pertamina (Indonesian state-owned oil company), Panasonic and Samsung.

Broadcasting

A joint venture between Host Broadcast Services and IMG Media named the International Games Broadcast Services (IGBS) 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 (DAGBS). [2]

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 (one city and nine regencies).

More than 500 people (45 per district) 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 Artamevia, Andre Hehanusa and Erwin Gutawa.

Andre Hehanusa, Christian Bautista and Mark Lazarro sang "To Be One" while the Indonesian female singer, Reza Artamevia, 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 (US$87,521) was situated at Lumintang Field. [3]

Sports

Participating nations

41 Asian countries participated in the games.

Calendar

 OC Opening ceremony  Event competitions 1 Event finals CC Closing ceremony
October 200818th
Sat
19th
Sun
20th
Mon
21st
Tue
22nd
Wed
23rd
Thu
24th
Fri
25th
Sat
26th
Sun
Gold
medals
3x3 basketball pictogram.svg 3x3 basketball 22
Beach handball pictogram.svg Beach handball 22
Beach kabaddi pictogram.svg Beach kabaddi 22
Beach sepaktakraw pictogram.svg Beach sepak takraw 224
Beach soccer pictogram.svg Beach soccer 11
Volleyball (beach) pictogram.svg Beach volleyball 22
Beach water polo pictogram.svg Beach water polo 11
Beach woodball pictogram.svg Beach woodball 224
Beach wrestling pictogram.svg Beach wrestling 224
Bodybuilding pictogram.svg Bodybuilding 66
Dragon boat pictogram.svg Dragon boat 2226
Jet Ski pictogram.svg Jet ski 314
Open water swimming pictogram.svg Open water swimming 224
Paragliding pictogram.svg Paragliding 448
Pencak silat pictogram.svg Pencak silat 268
Sailing pictogram.svg Sailing 66
Surfing pictogram.svg Surfing 111115
Triathlon pictogram.svg Triathlon 22
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

  *   Host nation (Indonesia)

RankNationGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia  (INA)*2382051
2Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand  (THA)10171037
3Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China  (CHN)610723
4Flag of South Korea (1997-2011).svg  South Korea  (KOR)471021
5Flag of Japan.svg  Japan  (JPN)3339
6Flag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong  (HKG)3328
7Flag of India.svg  India  (IND)3025
8Flag of Vietnam.svg  Vietnam  (VIE)25310
9Flag of Myanmar (1974-2010).svg  Myanmar  (MYA)2305
10Flag of Malaysia.svg  Malaysia  (MAS)22610
11Flag of Chinese Taipei for Olympic games.svg  Chinese Taipei  (TPE)2237
Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan  (PAK)2237
13Flag of the United Arab Republic (1958-1971), Flag of Syria (1980-2024).svg  Syria  (SYR)2002
14Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait  (KUW)1203
15Flag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan  (KAZ)1124
16Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates  (UAE)1113
17Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore  (SIN)1023
18Flag of Afghanistan (2004-2021).svg  Afghanistan  (AFG)1012
19Flag of Mongolia.svg  Mongolia  (MGL)1001
Flag of Oman.svg  Oman  (OMA)1001
21Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines  (PHI)02810
22Flag of Brunei.svg  Brunei  (BRU)0235
23Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan  (JOR)0101
24Flag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain  (BRN)0011
Flag of Bangladesh.svg  Bangladesh  (BAN)0011
Flag of Macau.svg  Macau  (MAC)0011
Flag of Maldives.svg  Maldives  (MDV)0011
Totals (27 entries)717190232

References

  1. "Olympic Council of Asia : Games". Archived from the original on 2017-07-19. Retrieved 2019-04-08.
  2. "IGBS awarded first Asian Beach Games host broadcast". IGBS. 12 March 2008. Archived from the original on 4 February 2009.
  3. William J. Furney (26 October 2007). "Countdown Begins to Asian Beach Games". The Bali Times.