The Fourth Asian Beach Games were held in Phuket, Thailand. The games were originally scheduled for Boracay Island, Aklan, Philippines, but was affected by the OCA's hosting changes.
The games were held on the same year of the 17th Asian Games. It was the seventh time for Thailand to host an Asia level multi-sports event, after Bangkok held four Asian Games (1966, 1970, 1978 and 1998), one Asian Indoor Games (2005) and one Asian Martial Arts Games (2009). However, it was the first time that the event would not be held in Bangkok. Development Host selection Phuket was not the original host of the 2014 Asian Games. Initially the island resort of Boracay in Kalibo, Aklan was awarded the hosting rights for the Games in 2006. In November 2010, the 2014 Games was moved to Phuket, Thailand.
Venues
The 4th Asian Beach Games have 6 venues for this games. Cluster Competition venue SportsPatong ClusterPatong North 1Beach wrestling, Beach kabaddi, PetanquePatong North 2Beach sepak takraw, FootvolleyPatong North 3Jetski SportPatong Central BeachMuaythai, Kurash, Brazilian Jiu-jitsuKaron ClusterKaron North 1Beach water polo, Open water swimming, Bodybuilding, 3x3 basketballKaron North 2Beach handball, SailingKaron Central BeachBeach volleyball, Sambo Karon South BeachWoodball, SquashNaiyang ClusterNaiyangTriathlon, Modern triathle, Beach athleticsBangneow Dam Cluster Anthem Wake ParkWater skiing – CableBangneow DamWater skiing – SkiChaofa ClusterChaofa MineAir sportsSaphan Hin ClusterSaphan HinBeach soccer, Beach flag football, Extreme sports, Sport climbing
Torch relay H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej has graciously designated H.R.H. Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn on October 23 at Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall, Dusit Palace as the Royal Representative to deliver the Royal Flame to the organizing committee for use in the 4th Asian Beach Games.
Those who have granted an audience to receive the Royal Flame from H.R.H. Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn were the organising committee members led by Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul as the chairwoman of the organizing committee, Yuthasak Sasiprapha, president of the Olympic Committee of Thailand, Montri Chaipun, deputy governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand who also served as the SAT's caretaker governor, and Phuket Governor Nisit Chamsomwong.
Dr.Jaturaporn Na Nakhon, chairman of the Royal Flame Committee, revealed that after this the installment of the Royal Flame will be temporarily made at the SAT Office in Hua Mark. The Flame will next be transferred to Phuket on November 10. To celebrate the Games Flame, Thai people from all walks of life can join the Flame run in three different districts which comprise Kathu District on November 11, Mueang Phuket District the following day and Thalang District on November 13.
Sports
The 4th Asian Beach Games have 26 sports were contested in this edition of Asian Beach Games.
Paragliding (4) Paramotoring (4) Aquatics
Extreme sports
Calendar
Participating nations 42 out of the 45 Asian countries took part. North Korea, Saudi Arabia and Palestine did not compete. Below is a list of all the participating NOCs; the number of competitors per delegation is indicated in brackets.
Medal table
Marketing Emblem The two palm trees standing side by side represents the coming together of athletes and of all participants from different nations and races, to unite and to participate together in the 4th Asian Beach Games.
The middle contains ocean waves tinted in the color of the Thai flag symbolizes the qualities in which Thailand possesses; the Thai flag swirling could be understood as a representation of the determination of the athletes in participating in the competition.
Mascot
The mascots of the Games were three sea turtles named Sakorn, Sintu, and Samut. According to the organising committee, the sea turtle was chosen as a symbol of endurance, fertility, sustainability, and growth, and to highlight sea turtle conservation efforts in Thailand, as the waters around Phuket are a habitat for several sea turtle species.
As sea turtles are amphibious creatures, living both on land and in the sea, the 4th Asian Beach Games had both beach sports and water sports.
The name Sintu (), Sakorn (), Samut () shares the same meaning of water.
Could be metaphorically be compared to the qualities of athletes which includes the qualities such as tolerance, tranquility, unity, acceptance, sportsmanship and friendship.
References
External links
Phuket Scene - Asian Beach Games