The Bali Asian Beach Games Organizing Committee released the latest Games progress report to coincide with the Executive Board Meeting held in Jakarta earlier this month and the Olympic Council of Asia and Technical Delegates meetings in Bali last week.

It encompassed updates and developments from the fourth quarter of 2007 up until the first quarter of 2008.

The key points and developments are as follows:

January say the influx of young and capable staff that made up the support group.  These personnel are not assigned to different functional areas depending on their skills, inclination and talents. Plans to transfer the Bali Asian Beach Games are underway.  With the generous help of the local government, BABGOC will be occupying the Lila Bhuana building in Denpasar. Three additional sports were added to the list of sport disciplines in January. This required adjustments arrangements from all directorates. Technical handbooks for all sports were printed and distributed to all 456 National Olympic Committees in late March, the electronic version of which is available o the website for quick download and reference. All Venue preparations are being done according to OCA standards and negotiations have started with local area/location owners regarding construction on the sites. Games services will be requiring a big share of the budget, incurring an overhead payment for the 35 hotels needed to house the athletes, officials and their guests.  An estimated 4,641 rooms will be required. Negotiations are continuing with service providers for transportation during the Games at ‘games-time’.  All transportation areas have been identified. The medical and doping control program requires special attention given the technicalities involved.  Approximately 200 tests will be conducted during the Games. Food and beverage services management has been scoped and will include services from the Asian Beach Games participating hotels as well as local services in the vicinity of competition and non-competition venues. The cleaning and waste management program is preparing a waste segregation plan at source within the competition venues and selected non-competition venues. The Accreditation Manual has been approved by the OCA.  Accreditation procedures have been finalized and Accreditation systems requirements have been submitted to the Information Technology and Telecommunications department.  The main accreditation centre is expected to be fully operational by May 2008. IGBS has been assigned as the host broadcast company catering to the international media.  IMG Media will be handling distribution rights for international broadcasting. The IT audit saw changes and improvements being made according to suggestions of the OCA audit group.  Solid figures and requirements are still being researched to confirm the budget.  It is expected to have the accreditation applications operational and the results information application by May 2008. The main Logistics Centre will be operational by the end of the first quarter of 2008 to accomplish the procurement and delivery of sports equipment and to work with Venues and IT requirements. Hiring has been accomplished on a staggered basis, meeting present demands and available finances.  The workforce and volunteers program involving over 5000 people has been drawn up and is currently being implemented. The NOC Relations Program has been in constant contact withal 45 NOC’s and the OCA.  Official invitations to the 1st Asian Beach Games have been sent to all participating NOC’s and 31 NOC’s have submitted their initial estimated team size.  The Arrival and Departure Operational Plan has also been discussed with airport authorities of Ngurah Rai Bali International Airport. The security program is presently coordinating with the Military Regional Commander and the Bali Chief of Police to lay down an integrated security plan for the Games.  The second quarter of 2008 will see a line up of Security Planning Perfection Activities.