Phuket: Phuket is ready to host the Asian Beach Games in November, the organising committee said yesterday.
The 200-day countdown to the Nov 14-23 tournament began yesterday at Patong Beach. With 26 sports and 168 gold medals up for grabs, the fourth Asian Beach Games will be held at six venues.
“With our hard work and experience, I promise that the tournament will be a great success,” said Kanokphan Chulaksem, governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand.
Husain Al-Musallam, director-general and technical director of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), said Thailand had hosted several international sporting events so the Asian Beach Games should be a huge success.
“It could be the best ever Asian Beach Games,” he said. “It will certainly be the biggest ever Asian Beach Games with 26 sports to be staged at six venue.
“It will prove that sports and tourism can go together,” he said. “A lot of tourists will visit Phuket and enjoy the Games. I am looking forward to seeing the Games kick off in 200 days.”
Phuket governor Maitree Intusut said that on behalf of the local people, he was proud of hosting the tournament.
“We are ready to be a good host and impress all participants and tourists,” he said. “The countdown ceremony shows that we are well prepared for the Games. Our natural and cultural beauty and hospitality will impress all the visitors.”
The Asian Beach Games were first held in Indonesia’s Bali in 2008, followed by Muscat, Oman in 2010 and Haiyang, China, in 2012.