5 July 2023
At the last minute, the Indonesian city of Bali has withdrawn as host of the World Beach Games, which includes Beach Rowing. The Games were supposed to be held on 5-12 August.
“It is with great surprise and extreme disappointment that ANOC [Association of National Olympic Committees] has learnt that the Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI) has withdrawn from its commitment to host the ANOC World Beach Games and the ANOC General Assembly in August 2023,” the ANOC said in a statement.
This was to be the second edition of the World Beach Games, which includes 14 sports. The inaugural Games were held in Doha, Qatar, in 2019.
“With the Games scheduled to take place in one month, the decision at such late notice prevents ANOC from being able to find an alternative host,” ANOC said. “So, there is no option but to cancel this year’s edition of the Games in Bali in August as well as the ANOC General Assembly.
The news agency Reuters reported in March that FIFA had stripped Indonesia from holding the Under-20 football (soccer) World Cup on 20 May- 11 June due to the governor of the largely Hindu-island of Bali refusing to host Israel’s team.