Bali was awarded the hosting rights for the 2023 World Beach Games in June last year, and Indonesia has reportedly prepared for the second edition of this international beach and water multi-sport event. However, the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) announced on Tuesday that Indonesia has withdrawn as hosts.
“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is with great surprise and extreme disappointment that ANOC has learned that the Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI) has withdrawn from its commitment to host the ANOC World Beach Games and the ANOC General Assembly in August 2023,” ANOC said on Tuesday, as quoted by Reuters.
ANOC further stated that due to the late notification, they had “no option but to cancel” the 2023 World Beach Games as well as the ANOC General Assembly since the situation prevented them from finding an alternative host.
According to ANOC, the Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI) informed them that the budget for the Games was not released by the Indonesian government, which was the reason behind the cancellation.
KOI chief Raja Sapta Oktohari confirmed to Reuters yesterday that the budget for the event had not been disbursed and said they withdrew from hosting the event because “it would be too risky.”
In 2019, Doha, Qatar, hosted the first edition of the World Beach Games. The second edition was scheduled for 2021 but was postponed due to the onset of the pandemic.
Indonesia’s withdrawal from hosting the event is a blow to the country’s reputation since FIFA previously took away Indonesia’s right to host the U-20 World Cup following the snowball effect of Bali Governor Wayan Koster rejecting the participation of the Israeli youth football team.
However, Koster denied reports that cited Bali as withdrawing from hosting the World Beach Games, emphasizing that Bali is merely the venue for the games.
“The one that canceled or withdrew from hosting World Beach Games is the committee, not the Bali Province government,” he said as quoted by Kompas, adding that Bali was, in fact, ready to host the event, which was supposed to be held from Aug. 5 to Aug. 12.
Separately, Youth and Sports Minister Dito Ariotedjo denied allegations that the central government did not provide financial guarantees for the World Beach Games, citing examples of how the government managed to send athletes abroad for multi-sport events and provide financial awards when they secured medals.
“Indonesia is always ready to become hosts for international events, be it sporting events or other types of events. However, the implementation needs good planning so that we can host our guests well,” he said, as quoted by Antara.
KOI chairman Raja Sapta Oktohari stated in an official statement yesterday that while the central government had agreed to financially support the 2023 World Beach Games in Bali, the bureaucratic process of the budget is difficult due to time constraints.
Raja also mentioned that several sponsors for the World Beach Games withdrew, which worsened the situation.
“We deeply apologize to ANOC, international federations, athletes, and other NOCs that have already fought through the qualification process,” he added.
