Apparently not the first time, but in a rather shocking turn of events, with just one month remaining until the scheduled Games, the Bali 2023 Local Organising Committee (LOC) has decided to withdraw its commitment to host the highly anticipated ANOC World Beach Games and the ANOC General Assembly, leaving the global sporting community in great disappointment.
This decision has left the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) scrambling to find an alternative host, as it did in 2015. But this time left with the unfortunate cancellation of this year’s edition of the Games in Bali. A Devastating Blow to Athletes and Global Sporting Community.
Historical Background:
The ANOC World Beach Games, a joint project between ANOC and SportAccord, was announced in October 2013, inspired by the success of the Asian Beach Games. Originally planned as a 20-25 discipline event, the Games aimed to attract 5,000 athletes from 206 NOCs with a budget of $135 million. Approved in November 2014, but disagreements arose between ANOC and SportAccord, leading to SportAccord announcing Sochi, Russia as the host without ANOC’s involvement.
ANOC pursued its independent version and opened the application process in July 2015. San Diego was chosen as the host city for the inaugural Games in 2015, but it was postponed to 2019 to allow ample preparation time. The event was scaled back to fewer disciplines, athletes, and NOCs with a reduced budget of $40 million. However, San Diego withdrew as the host in May 2019 due to funding issues. The Games were relocated to Doha, Qatar, with a short preparation time. The first edition took place in Doha, Qatar October 2019, with Spain topping the medal table.
2023 WBG Cancellation:
Bidding for the second edition began in January 2020 but was postponed to 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Bali, Indonesia, subsequently was announced as the host in June 2022. The games scheduled to be held next month (August) have been cancelled after the Indonesian city withdrew as hosts. This decision came after the Indonesian government failed to release the budget for the Games, leading the Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI) to withdraw from hosting. The cancellation means that the Games, which were set to feature 14 sports including beach soccer, will not proceed as planned. The Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) expressed disappointment, stating that they had been regularly assured by the KOI that solutions would be found to overcome the challenges in the Games preparations.
KOI chief Raja Sapta Oktohari explained that the budget for the event had not been disbursed, citing concerns about the financial risks involved. Indonesia’s sports minister, Dito Ariotedjo, expressed regret for the cancellation and mentioned that a budget of 446 billion rupiah ($29.71 million) had been approved for the Games but was still under review by the finance ministry.
The cancellation of the World Beach Games in Bali is a significant disappointment for athletes and fans eagerly anticipating the event. It highlights the importance of timely budgeting and financial support for hosting major sporting competitions. While the focus now shifts towards exploring future opportunities to host the Games and ensuring a successful edition in the coming years. Let us look at the Implications of the Withdrawal and cancellation of the 2023 event:
- Loss of Opportunities for Athletes: The abrupt withdrawal by the Bali 2023 LOC has dashed the hopes and ambitions of athletes who were looking forward to representing their respective countries in these prestigious Games. Many athletes had been preparing tirelessly for this event, and the cancellation has denied them the chance to compete on the international stage and achieve their dreams.
- Disappointment Among NOCs and IFs: The NOCs and International Federations (IFs) that had been committed partners of the Games are left disheartened by this sudden development. They had invested time and resources into preparing their teams for the competition, only to be faced with the disappointment of a cancelled event.
- Financial and Organizational Setback for ANOC: The withdrawal poses a significant financial and organizational challenge for ANOC, as the committee must now focus on compensating athletes, NOCs, and IFs while simultaneously seeking alternative arrangements for the ANOC General Assembly. Finding a last-minute replacement host for such a large-scale sporting event is a daunting task, and the impact of this setback may extend beyond the 2023 edition.
The ANOC World Beach Games have faced challenges, including conflicts, venue changes, financial obstacles, and the pandemic. However, ANOC’s commitment to promoting beach sports and fostering international camaraderie has prevailed, ensuring the success of the Games and leaving a lasting impact on the sporting world.
Future Prospects:
While the current situation is deeply regrettable, there is hope for the future of the ANOC World Beach Games. ANOC, in collaboration with its partners and stakeholders, should conduct a thorough review of the selection process for host cities and strengthen contractual obligations to avoid similar issues in the future.
Furthermore, this situation should serve as a wake-up call for host countries to ensure proper budget planning and commitment before bidding to host major sporting events. Additionally, fostering stronger communication and coordination between the LOC and ANOC can prevent misunderstandings and miscommunications that may lead to unfortunate withdrawals. With effective planning and collaboration, the ANOC World Beach Games can resume its legacy of celebrating the world’s finest beach sports talents in the years to come.
