Bali withdrew as the 2023 World Beach Games host, leaving the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) little time to find a replacement. The event, which was supposed to take place in Bali next month, has been cancelled.
“ANOC has learned that the Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI) has withdrawn from its commitment to host the ANOC World Beach Games and the ANOC General Assembly in August 2023,” the organisation announced on Tuesday, 4th of July 2023.
The second World Beach Games, which would have featured 14 sports, including beach volleyball, beach soccer, and surfing, were scheduled to be held in Bali. The 2019 edition’s debut was held in Doha.
“With the Games scheduled to take place in one month, the late decision prevents ANOC from finding an alternative host,” ANOC announced.
The statement continues, “As a result, there is no choice but to cancel this year’s Games in Bali in August, as well as the ANOC General Assembly.”
The ANOC stated that the KOI told them that the Indonesian government had yet to give the funds for the Games.
“While there have been challenges in the Games preparations, as with any major multi-sport event, ANOC had been regularly assured by the KOI that solutions would be found and the Games would go ahead as planned,” the statement said.
The opportunity to host the Under-20 Soccer World Cup this year was taken away from Indonesia.
The decision was made following a statement by the nation’s football body (PSSI) that the draw had been cancelled due to Bali’s governor’s refusal to accept Israel’s team.
It seems like Indonesia is fully occupied with being the best host for U-17 World Cup to the point where the nation forgets that there are other upcoming world-scale games that Indonesia need to host and fund.
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