Bali has formally pulled out of hosting the Olympic World Beach Games less than a month before the event was due to start.
As a result, the 2023 World Beach Games has been completely canceled, leaving athletes in a state of despair and communities and businesses in Bali questioning how to move forward.
The 2nd World Beach Games was set to be a huge international spectacle and a great opportunity for Bali to position itself as a world-class destination for hosting big sporting events.
The island was named as host of the games last year, and there was much excitement about the event coming to the province.
The Olympic World Beach Games was set to welcome the best athletes in the world to compete in the aquathlon, beach handball, beach soccer, beach tennis, beach volleyball 4×4, beach water polo, beach wrestling, and more.
However, on Wednesday, 5th July, Bali formally withdrew its commitment to host the games next month. In a statement issued by the World Beach Games, organizers share their despair.
The statement reads, “It is with great surprise and extreme disappointment that ANOC has learned that the Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI) has withdrawn from its commitment to host the ANOC World Beach Games and the ANOC General Assembly in August 2023.”
The statement continues, “With the Games scheduled to take place in one month, the decision at such late notice prevents ANOC from being able to find an alternative host, and so there is no option but to cancel this year’s edition of the Games in Bali in August as well as the ANOC General Assembly.”
The news has rocked sports lovers in Bali and those who already had plans to visit the island, especially for the games.
Many local people are doubly disappointed since this is not the first international sports event that the island has pulled out of hosting at short notice.
Bali’s Governor Wayan Koster previously rejected the participation of the Israeli football team in the FIFA U20s World Cup, of which Bali was due to host qualifying rounds.
Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans For 2023 Starting At $10 Per Week
Easily Earn Points For Free Travel
Governor Koster has since made an announcement of his own regarding the cancellation of the games.
He was keen to emphasize that the decision to withdraw from hosting was made by the Indonesian Olympic Committee, not by the provincial government, and that anything to the contrary would be considered ‘fake news.’
Governor Koster told reports that he had been in contact with the Chairperson of the ANOC World Beach Games Central Committee, Raja Sapta Oktohari, who revealed that the committee had not been given funding from the central government.
Many local people have taken to social media to share their upset that the major international sporting event will no longer be coming to their home island.
In an Instagram post, social justice advocate and local entrepreneur Ni Luh Djelantik voiced her frustration at the news.
In a post, she wrote, “We have destroyed thousands of those dreams. The athletes, the participant’s countries, the hospitality businesses, and everything around it, not to mention the pride and hope of the Indonesian people.”
“How are we going to fix it? Well, we won’t give up. We will work together to pick those glasses that have been shattered.” Her views were echoed by many in the comments section.
The Indonesian Ministry for Tourism and Creative Economies, who have previously been clear in the commitment to putting the country on the map as a destination for big sporting and music events, has said that the conversation is ongoing and did not want to speculate as further details are emerging.
The World Beach Games in Bali was set to welcome over 1,500 athletes from 130 countries, in addition to over 200 delegates and world sports organizations.
This is in addition to spectators and sports lovers from around the world and across Indonesia who already had plans to fly into the island to be a part of the action.
Remove All Ads & Unlock All Articles… Sign up for The Bali Sun Premium
Plan Your Bali Holiday:
Book The Best English Speaking Drivers For Airport Transfers & Tours
Choose From Thousands of Bali Hotels, Resorts, and Hostels with Free Cancellation On Most Properties
Book Cheap Flights To Bali
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance That Covers Medical Expenses In Bali
For the latest Bali News & Debate Join our Facebook Community
SUBSCRIBE TO NEW POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to The Bali Sun’s latest breaking news, straight to your inbox.
Shorty
Monday 10th of July 2023
I'm wrong. Israelis can get RI visas. The reason for the withdrawal/cancellation seems to be linked. RI is concerned that the display of the Israeli flag or playing the anthem could cause civil unrest. My comment about the U17s and and future bids stand. RI should be precluded from making bids on these events until they can guarantee they wil be held. How they do this I've no idea.
Shorty
Sunday 9th of July 2023
The FIFA U20s RI leg was cancelled as there was an Israeli team. This has now appeared to have happened with the beach sports. RI and Koster have now considered putting in a bid for the U17s. The reason they believe there's a chance? Israel hasn't qualified. FIFA along with all international sporting bodies should tell RI to f*ck off. Until you guarantee entry for all competitors and teams we won't consider your bid.
Firechef
Sunday 9th of July 2023
What else is New? I don't see Bali as a destination for anything except tourists, rich and poor and in between. Nobody in government has the brains to plan and fund worthwhile events that would bring the class people that they want to the island. Gufnor speak with forked tongue.
Randy
Saturday 8th of July 2023
"The 2nd World Beach Games was set to be a huge international spectacle and a great opportunity for Bali to position itself as a world-class destination for hosting big sporting events."
You snooze you lose Bali. Put Political differences aside, sports and people exchange can be a good thing. Local biased Politicians who made the decision is harming it's welcoming slogan "Wonderful Indonesia" to "Unwelcoming Indonesia". Your decision is harming fellow Indonesians as well on the international stage. They were already prepared to welcome the participants with open arms.
Neil gill
Saturday 8th of July 2023
How on earth can you cancel something that has been planned for years, flighs, hotel bookings and training for Pastricipans..to be destroyed by an non controlled government, after the FIFA disaster. Who will want to come to Bali again except the bus loads of non spending Chinese you are so proud about the numbers. I have had reminders from Australia telling me they have to cancel August trips with loss of airfares and accommodation. Never coming back here ever again .. Not organized. But Thailand and Vietnam are and cheaper.