with the time constraint, we believe it will be difficult to deliver the world-class multi-sport eventJakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesia Olympic Committee (NOC Indonesia) expressed apology over its decision to withdraw as host for the 2nd ANOC World Beach Games (AWBG), citing limited time to process administration and bureaucracy as the reason.
"With a heavy heart, we announce the 2nd ANOC World Beach Games Bali 2023 will not take place. We express our deepest apologies to ANOC and the International Federation, the athletes, and all NOCs that have striven since the qualification process," Indonesia NOC Head Raja Sapta Oktohari noted as per the statement on Wednesday.
"We also express our utmost gratitude to all parties, who worked hard during the preparation period," he remarked.
Oktohari explained that the Indonesian government had approved the budget for the event organized under the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC). However, difficulties were encountered in the budget bureaucracy system processing due to time constraints.
The condition was made more complicated by the withdrawal of several sponsors, he remarked.
The NOC head emphasized that after Indonesia was selected as host of the 2023 AWBG, his side exerted all-out efforts to ensure the success of the global beach and water multi-sport event.
"We are merely the organizer, but today, we have 30 days left while we still need to undergo so many budget bureaucracy processes. There is no alternative but to swallow this bitter pill because, with the time constraint, we believe it will be difficult to deliver the world-class multi-sport event," Oktohari expounded.
He stated that time constraints due to budget bureaucracy would risk Indonesia's image in organizing a world multi-sport event, especially after successes in the Asian Games and Asian Para Games in 2018.
"If there is more harm than good, what we need to do is to maintain Indonesia's dignity," the NOC head stressed.
Following the cancellation, NOC Indonesia will continue to communicate intensively with ANOC and other relevant stakeholders as well as optimize diplomacy and negotiation in facing possible consequences.
"There will be consequences, and we are still communicating. In principle, NOC Indonesia will continue working and, at present, we will organize activities to bolster the exposure of Indonesia's sports," Oktohari remarked.
The 2023 AWBG was scheduled to take place on August 5-12 at four locations -- Nusa Dua, Jimbaran, Kuta, and Canggu -- in Bali. The multi-sport event was expected to be attended by some 1,500 athletes from 130 countries.
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Translator: Arnidhya Nur Z, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Sri Haryati
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