A spectacular opening ceremony, in a purpose built 18,000 stadium, with the most amazing stage that accomplished all sorts of contortions, kicked off the start of the 3rd Asian Beach Games in Haiyang, Shandong Province, China on Saturday 16th June 2012.
The audience was addressed by Sheik Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah President, Olympic Council of Asia (OCA)and opened by Mr Ma Kai, Secretary General of the State Council of China.
Some 1,601 athletes from 45 countries have converged on Haiyang to participate in one of the 13 sports disciplines on offer which include just three water sports events dragon boating ,windsurfing and waterskiing .
Ten sports are already underway with waterskiing /wakeboarding starting with familiarisation on the afternoon of Tuesday 19th of June once the dragon boat racing finishes.
All of the international technical officials have now arrived along with the majority of the 56 Asian skiers and riders.
A welcoming banquet on Sunday evening 17th June, hosted by the OCA, provided an opportunity for VIP’s and invited guests to make new friends in sport and renew old acquaintances.