ASIAN BEACH GAMES 2010 TO INCLUDE WATERSKI & WAKEBOARD

The Asian Beach Games are what are known as Multi-Sport Games – similar to the PanAm Games and the Mediterranean Games. The first Asian Beach Games were staged in Bali, Indonesia in 2008 with athletes from 41 Countries. The 2nd Games will be held in Muscat in the Sultanate of Oman – just south of Qatar and the UAE on the Arabian Gulf and 45 Countries plan to participate this time. The dates are December 8/16 2010 and at that time the expected temperatures will be around 25C / 80Fh.

The Sultanate of Oman has a population of just over 3 million people with a strong Economy based on Oil and Gas. This will be the largest sporting event ever staged in the country. A spectacular purpose built Athletes Village is now being constructed in Musannah, 125km north of Muscat, in an area of approximately 1 million square meters. This will host and house the athletes, officials and organizers. The Athletes Village will be completed in June 2010.

The new Village for the Games when completed will consist of:

• Two 250 bed hotels
• A sports centre
• A marina
• An athletes’ village
• A public grandstand
• Infrastructure
• Roads and car parking, and
• Associated supporting facilities.

The good news is that the 12 sports disciplines involved will include Waterski and Wakeboard for the first time, plus Triathlon, Beach Volleyball, Swimming, Beach Soccer and other traditional games.  “The Asian Beach Games deliver a strong message to our youth that fair and honourable competition is an important hallmark. This is a great opportunity for the Sultanate of Oman to showcase its natural beauty, unique identity and intangible heritage to Asia and beyond. We would like to thank the Olympic Council of Asia for this great honour” commented Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidy, Minister of Sports Affairs and Chairman of Oman Olympic Committee.

Thanks to the hard work of IWWF President Kuno Ritschard, IWWF Asia Australasia Oceania Confederation President Paul Fong and others, our sport will introduce many new fans to both Waterski and Wakeboard. Full details will be announced later by the IWWF. We may even see some of our World Cup Stars in the Muscat headlines next December !