Haiyang, China: The Olympic Council of Asia’s Asian Beach Games is all about fun and friendship, competition and camaraderie – so it was highly fitting that beach volleyball should get the 3rd edition of the ABG under way on Tuesday, June 12. Starting early here in Haiyang because of the Asian qualifying competition for the London Olympic Games from June 19, beach volleyball is the perfect sport to promote the spirit and the essence of the Beach Games philosophy.

The competition was fierce, but the respect of the players for their opponents and the officials could never be doubted. Victory was necessary, but never at the expense of sportsmanship and fair play. Add the music, the cheerleaders, the commentary and an enthusiastic crowd into the beach volleyball mix and you have the blueprint for the modern-day sports presentation.

“I think it is splendid,” commented Mohd. Anisur Rahman, Chef de Mission of the Bangladesh contingent at the 3rd ABG. “This is the first time I am attending such a gathering and I like it very much.”
Sitting alongside him in the grandstand, Nepal Chef de Mission Laxman Kumar Shrestha was in full agreement.

“In my country we don’t have sea and we don’t have beach, so this is a very new experience for me,” said Laxman, who visited Haiyang for the Chef de Mission Seminar in September 2011. “It is amazing what they have done in a very short period of time,” he commented. “Last year there was nothing here, only sand, and in this time they have done a great job.”

The 3rd Asian Beach Games open on June 16 and run to June 22, featuring 49 events in 13 sports. June 12 also marked the opening of the Athletes’ Village and the first team welcome ceremony, for host country China. OCA representative Reza Charim said the Games would demonstrate the sportsmanship of the athletes from the 45 countries and regions, and promote peace and friendship.