World Beach Games cancelled: Hongkongers among 1,500 disappointed athletes as host Bali pulls out 1 month before
- Badminton player Vincent Wong reels from ‘really shock news’ about August’s 14-sport Games, which were to involve more than 100 Olympic member countries
- ‘We had been preparing since we won qualification in March,’ says his fellow Olympian, windsurfer Hayley Chan, who was to compete in wingfoil
Hong Kong athletes preparing for the World Beach Games have been left high and dry after Bali pulled out as host just a month before they were due to take place, forcing the Games to be cancelled.
The Indonesian island’s withdrawal at such short notice on Tuesday left no time to find a suitable replacement to stage the 14-sport event. It was to involve about 1,500 athletes from more than 100 Olympic member countries in 41 medal disciplines, including beach football, beach volleyball and surfing.
“There is no option but to cancel this year’s edition of the Games in Bali in August,” the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) said in a statement.
Bali’s decision – which the ANOC said came after the Indonesian government axed the event’s budget – left Hong Kong badminton player Vincent Wong Wing-ki “shocked”.
An Olympian in London in 2012, Wong was due to play in Bali in the AirBadminton event – outdoor badminton using a wind-resistant shuttlecock and longer court.
“We qualified 10 days ago and were all looking forward to the Games in Bali,” said Wong, who is also an interim coach to the elite Hong Kong players. “It’s really shock news and we feel sorry not to have the chance to compete.”