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]

1st Asian Beach Games
Pesta Olahraga Pantai Asia Pertama
Logo of the 2008 Asian Beach Games.
Host cityBali, Indonesia
MottoInspire the World
Nations41
Athletes1,665
Events71 in 19 sports
Opening18 October
Closing26 October
Opened bySusilo Bambang Yudhoyono
President of Indonesia
Athlete's OathAndi Ardiansyah
Judge's OathPergunan Tarigan
Torch lighterAgus Salim
Taufik Hidayat
Oka Sulaksana
Main venueGaruda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park
Websitebali2008.com

Organisation

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Bidding process

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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.

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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

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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

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There were five venues for this games.

Venue Sports
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 Beach Beach handball, beach soccer, Open water swimming, triathlon
Serangan Island Sailing

Sponsorship

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

Broadcasting

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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

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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

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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

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Participating nations

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41 Asian countries participated in the games.

Calendar

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 OC  Opening ceremony  ●   Event competitions   Event finals  CC  Closing ceremony
October 2008 18th
Sat
19th
Sun
20th
Mon
21st
Tue
22nd
Wed
23rd
Thu
24th
Fri
25th
Sat
26th
Sun
Gold
medals
  3x3 basketball 2 2
  Beach handball 2 2
  Beach kabaddi 2 2
  Beach sepak takraw 2 2 4
  Beach soccer 1 1
  Beach volleyball 2 2
  Beach water polo 1 1
  Beach woodball 2 2 4
  Beach wrestling 2 2 4
  Bodybuilding 6 6
  Dragon boat 2 2 2 6
  Jet ski 3 1 4
  Open water swimming 2 2 4
  Paragliding 4 4 8
  Pencak silat 2 6 8
  Sailing 6 6
  Surfing 1 1 1 1 1 5
  Triathlon 2 2
Total gold medals 5 9 7 12 5 9 15 9 71
Ceremonies OC CC
October 2008 18th
Sat
19th
Sun
20th
Mon
21st
Tue
22nd
Wed
23rd
Thu
24th
Fri
25th
Sat
26th
Sun
Gold
medals

Medal table

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  *   Host nation (Indonesia)

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

References

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  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.
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