Inaugural 2008 Asian Beach Games in Bali, Indonesia promote sports & culture: 6000 athletes, 71 events, 19 sports

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About a month ago in Bali, Indonesia, the inaugural 2008 Asian Beach Games came to its conclusion. Intended to promote sports and culture, the games (held every two years) encourage tourism, support local economies and allow host countries like Indonesia to present a more global face to the world. The 2008 games brought 6,000 athletes to compete in 71 events in 19 sports. Sports included well-known games like beach volleyball and triathlon, and some sports better known to asians, like sepak takraw, kabaddi and pencak silat. The next Asian Beach Games are scheduled to be hosted by Oman in the year 2010.

The Indonesian team in action against Myanmar during the men's beach sepaktakraw on day six of the Asian Beach Games at Sanur Beach on October 23, 2008 in Bali, Indonesia.

Dragon Boats sit at the docks before the start of the Dragon Boat Races on day two of the 2008 Asian Beach Games at West Suwung on October 19, 2008 in Bali, Indonesia.

The Indonesian men's team competes in the 1000m Dragon Boat grand final on day two of the 2008 Asian Beach Games at West Suwung on October 19, 2008 in Bali, Indonesia.

Eddy Ratno Haji Abu Bakar and Mohd Khairul Bahri of Brunei perform in the Double Men's Final of the beach pencak silat on day five of the 2008 Asian Beach Games at Tanjung Benoa Beach on October 22, 2008 in Bali, Indonesia.

Balinese dancers perform during the Opening ceremony of the first Asian Beach Games at culture in park Garuda Wisnu Kencana in Bali, Indonesia, Saturday , Oct. 18, 2008.

Faisal Al-Balushi of Oman kicks a goal in the match between Oman and United Arabic Emirates during the Beach Soccer on day six of the 2008 Asian Beach Games at Mertasari Beach on October 23, 2008 in Bali, Indonesia.

Athletes compete in the men's 60kg body building competition on day three of the 2008 Asian Beach Games at Kuta Beach on October 20, 2008 in Bali, Indonesia.

Rosmadi Bin Abd Ghani of Malaysia tries to kick the ball past Phakpong Dejaroen of Thailand beach sepak takraw match on day seven of the 2008 Asian Beach Games at Sanur Beach on October 24, 2008 in Bali, Indonesia.

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Photos courtesy of Quinn Rooney/Getty Images, Cameron Spencer/Getty Images, Mark Dadswell/Getty Images, AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim, and Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Original Source: Boston Globe