ANOC World Beach Games 2023 Continues As Planned

Menpora Dito Ariotedjo (center) together with Bali Governor I Wayan Koster (left) and NOC Indonesia Chairman Raja Sapta Oktohari. (Photo: Doc. Kemenpora)

JAKARTA - Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Dito Ariotedjo ensured that the 2023 ANOC World Beach Games in Bali will continue to run according to the agenda.

Dito confirmed this after a direct discussion with Bali Governor I Wayan Koster in Denpasar, Bali, Friday, April 14, 2023. Koster has fully supported the implementation of the multi-international sporting event.

"The results of the discussion bring blessings, there is one meeting and an agreement that the Provincial Government of Bali and the Governor of Bali thousand percent support the implementation of the 2023 World Beach Games," said the Menpora as quoted by the Kemenpora website.

The previous second edition of the World Beach Games was threatened with cancellation because of the Israeli contingent. That was after Indonesia was crossed out by FIFA to host the U-20 World Cup due to the same problem.

This concern made Dito encourage intense communication with Koster. One step was taken to mediate with the Chairman of the Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI) Raja Sapta Oktohari directly.

"Alhamdulillah, in this Ramadan atmosphere we establish friendship and can achieve the results that become a common ground, namely an agreement on this," said the Menpora.

Meanwhile, Bali Governor I Wayan Koster expressed his support for the implementation of the 2023 World Beach Games. He hopes that the implementation can run smoothly and according to the constitution.

"We just discussed with the Minister of Youth and Sports and Pak Okto (Ketum KOI). We discussed how the World Beach Games went well and the governance side went smoothly," said Koster.

"Therefore, there has been an agreement between the host Bali, so the Bali Provincial Government and I of course, I will give full support so that this event runs smoothly and successfully. The point is that the World Beach Games is in accordance with the constitutional mandate," he added.