Inaugural Asian Beach Games to Begin with Colorful, Colossal Ceremony

SANUR, Bali, Indonesia – Spectators from around the world will witness sports history when the 1st Asian Beach Games get underway in Bali, Indonesia, Oct. 18, with a colorful Opening Ceremony infused with a showing of Indonesian culture meant to inspire the world. The Ceremony will be held at the Garuda Wisnu Kencana, a monumental cultural park in Nusa Dua.

The President of the Republic of Indonesia H.E. Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Madame Ani Bambang Yudhoyono as well as other heads of state are expected to attend the Ceremony. As distinguished guests arrive, 80 dancers will perform the “Welcome Dance,” a medley of West Sumatera, Kalimantan, Ambonese and Javanese dances contemporarily choreographed by Boi G. Sakti.

Other highlights of the Opening Ceremony include 845 dancers performing a 12-minute dance choreographed by Sentot S. The dance, which depicts the rich history of host country Indonesia, ends with a special collaboration of three Asian Divo: Andre Hehaussa (Indonesia), Christian Bautista (Phillipines), and Mark Lazaro (India) singing “To Be One” with the Erwin Gutawa Orchestra.

Athletes and officials from the 45 participating countries will also march in the Ceremony. For the athletes parade, the athletes will be divided into five groups based on their regions: West Asia (13 countries), Central Asia (5 countries), South Asia (8 countries), East Asia (8 countries) and South East Asia (11 countries). They will be symbolized with sand, wind, flower, fire and water, respectively. Following the parade, the theme song of the 1st Asian Beach Games, “Inspire the World,” will be performed by Anggun.

The torch will be carried by three Indonesian athletes: sprinter Suryo Agung Laksono; 2004 Olympic Champion in badminton Taufik Hidayat; and windsurfer I Gusti Oka Sulaksana. Laksono and Hidayat will carry the torch first and second, respectively. Bali native Sulaksana, who is a gold medal hopeful at the Asian Beach Games, will carry the torch on its final leg.

The Ceremony will end with a musical performance featuring Indonesian’s top talents.

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1st Asian Beach Games – Opening Ceremony
Tentative Run of Show

WELCOME
Choki Sitohang welcomes the guests

OPENING PRESENTATION

ARRIVAL OF DISTINGUSED GUESTS AND OPENING PROCESSION
Tantowi Yahya and Sita Suroso announce the arrival of President of the Republic of Indonesia H.E. Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Madame Ani Bambang Yudhoyono and other heads of state, accompanied by 20 dancers. Another 80 dancers follow and perform the welcome dance, a medley of West Sumatera, Kalimantan, Ambonese and Javanese dances contemporarily coreographed by Boi G. Sakti.

INDONESIAN ANTHEM
The national anthem, “Indonesia Raya,” is performed by the Erwin Gutawa Orchestra.

REPORT BY CHAIRMAN OF BABGOC
Aburizal Bakrie, Chairman of the Bali Asian Beach Games Organizing Committee (BABGOC), addresses the audience.

COLLOSAL DANCE THEATRE – PROLOGOUE
A 12-minute contemporary dance, coreographed by Sentot S. and depicting the history of Indonesia from the glory of great kingdoms of Sriwijaya and Majapahit to the present day, is performed by 845 dancers and include a light show. The performance culminates with a special collaboration of three Asian singers: Andre Hehaussa (Indonesia), Christian Bautista (Phillipines), and Mark Lazaro (India), singing “To Be One” with the Erwin Gutawa Orchestra.

ATHELETES PARADE
Athletes and officials from the 45 participating countries march into the arena divided into five groups based on regions: West Asia (13 countries), Central Asia (5 countries), South Asia (8 countries), East Asia (8 countries) and South East Asia (11 countries). They will be symbolized by sand, wind, flower, fire and water, respectively. Following the parade, the theme song of the 1st Asian Beach Games, “Inspire the World,” will be performed by Anggun.

CAULDRON IGNITION
Three Indonesian athletes participate in the lighting of the cauldron. Sprinter Suryo Agung Laksono carries the torch to the Lotus Pond. 2004 Olympic badminton champion Taufik Hidayat runs a lap and proceeds to the Festival Park. Windsurfer I Gusti Oka Sulaksana, a Bali native and gold medal hopeful at the 2008 Asian Beach Games, carries the torch on its final leg. Fire Kecak Dancers welcome the final runner.

GRAND SHOW OF FIREWORKS, MUSIC AND PYROTECHNICS

MUSICAL PERFORMANCE
A special musical performance featuring Indonesian’s top talents conclues the Opening Ceremony.