200 days countdown to Beach Games in Phuket 2014

admin February 8, 2023 News

Phuket Beach Games – the ideal blend of sport and tourism, says OCA

Phuket, Thailand: The Director General and Technical Director of the Olympic Council of Asia, Mr Husain Al-Musallam, believes the 4th Asian Beach Games in Phuket, Thailand, this November will be the perfect combination of tourism and sport.

Speaking at the 200-day countdown celebration at the Jungceylon Shopping Mall in Patong on Monday, Capt. Husain said Thailand’s experience in organising multi-sport games would lead to the success of the 4th Asian Beach Games, which will run from November 14-23 and feature 26 beach and sea sports.

Ju-jitsu, squash and sambo wrestling have been added to the sports programmed for the 4th Asian Beach Games. The Sports Director of the Ju-jitsu Asian Union, Joachim Thumfart, is expecting 120 athletes from at least 15 NOCs to compete in 12 events. NOCs can enter all 12 categories and there will be a maximum of eight athletes or teams in each category. Wild cards will also be offered to NOCs if their athletes have not qualified through rankings. The ju-jitsu competition will be held at Patong Beach on November 12-13.

“Thailand is trusted by the world’s sports community and has a reputation for the successful hosting of many multi-sport international events in the past few decades,” he told the guests and spectators.

“This time Thailand has received the honor from the Olympic Council of Asia of hosting the 4th Asian Beach Games this November. They will be a Games of happiness, fun and modern sports presentation on the famous beaches of Phuket. “I believe that, with the efforts and experience of the past, Thailand will once again make another great success and another milestone in Asian sports history in which tourism and sport can perfectly combine.”

The OCA held the first Asian Beach Games in Bali, Indonesia, in 2008. The event proved to be so successful and attractive that host cities were signed up quickly for the second edition in Muscat, Oman, in 2010, Haiyang, China, in 2012, Phuket in 2014 and Nha Trang, Vietnam, in 2016.

“The 4th Asian Beach Games is intended to be the biggest event ever with 26 sports in six venue clusters around Phuket,” he added.

“It is expected that a great number of athletes, officials and tourists from all over Asia and other parts of the world will enjoy the Games in Phuket and help to generate income and build a very positive image of Thailand.” Capt. Husain added that the OCA’s decision to award hosting rights to Phuket proved the trust and support of the Asian sports movement in Phuket following the tsunami that hit the island and region in 2004.
The Governor of Phuket province, Mr Maitri Inthusut, said the people of Phuket were “excited and up for the challenge” of hosting the Asian Beach Games in November.

“It makes us proud to be trusted with hosting the Asian Beach Games and we plan to make it the most memorable ever in every aspect,” he said. “We are ready and enthusiastic to welcome everybody.” The Governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand in Bangkok, Mr Kanokphand Chulakasem, declared the 200-day countdown celebration open.

The three VIP guests were joined on stage by OCA Sports Committee Chairman Zhang Jilong, OCA Vice President and Thailand NOC Vice President/Secretary General Maj. Gen. Charouck Arirachakaran and the OCA’s Director of NOC and International Relations, Vinod Tiwari, to push the countdown button. The celebration also included a traditional Thai dance, a video of the preparations and a photo shoot with the three mascots.

JJAU was represented by Director Int. & Public Relation: Mr. Mubarak AL Menhali; Deputy General Secretary: Dr. Jaffer AL Muthafer; Sports Director: Mr. Joachim Thumfart and Mr. Rodrigo Valerio