4th Asian Beach Games open in Phuket

The fourth edition of the multi-sport Asian Beach Games have opened in Phuket, Thailand.

The 10-day event (running from 14th to 21st November) will witness completion in 23 sports including air sports, aquatics, beach handball, beach volleyball, beach woodball, body building, sailing, muaythai and beach kurash, beach wrestling, beach kabaddi, beach basketball, beach petanque, beach sepaktakraw, footvolley, jet ski, triathlon, water ski, beach soccer, flag football, extreme sport, sports climbing, modern pentathlon and beach track and field.

Patong and Karon beaches, in the west coast of Phuket, are the main competition venues with other events held in downtown Phuket, Nai Yang Beach, Bang Niao Dam, Chaofa Mine and Saphan Hin.

About 2,400 athletes from 43 Asian countries are competing in the Games which Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) estimates will generate Bt100 million (US$3 million) for hotel and tourism businesses in Phuket.

The TCT expects a 10% increase in tourist arrivals during the Games compared with the same period last year.

First held in Bali in 2008, the Asian Beach Games are held every two years among athletes representing countries from Asia and are regulated by the Olympic Council of Asia.

Phuket's hosting of the event is seen as a precursor to Thailand bidding to host the first World Beach Games in 2017.

For more information go to www.phuketthailand2014.com/en/home.aspx

31st January 2014 - PHUKET TO HOST ASIAN BEACH GAMES 2014