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Disappointment for Kenyan athletes as Indonesian city withdraws as hosts, leaving no time for alternative arrangements
In a major setback for Kenyan athletes, the highly anticipated 2023 Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) World Beach Games, set to take place in Bali next month, has been abruptly canceled.
The news came after the Indonesian city withdrew as hosts, leaving the ANOC with no time to find an alternative.
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Kenya had qualified several teams, including women's football, wrestling, aquathlon, and women's handball, for the tournament, making this cancellation a devastating blow to their aspirations.
"It is with great surprise and extreme disappointment that ANOC has learned that the Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI) has withdrawn from its commitment to host the ANOC World Beach Games and the ANOC General Assembly in August 2023," ANOC expressed in a statement on Tuesday.
The cancellation of the second edition of the World Beach Games has left the sporting world in shock.
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The event was poised to showcase 14 exciting sports, such as beach soccer, beach volleyball, and surfing.
Doha, Qatar, successfully hosted the inaugural edition in 2019, which added to the anticipation surrounding this year's event.
"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. 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 statement continued.
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The ANOC further revealed that the KOI had informed them that the budget for the Games still needed to be released by the Indonesian government.
Despite facing challenges in the Games preparations, ANOC had received regular assurances from the KOI that solutions would be found and the Games would proceed as planned. However, the unexpected turn of events has dashed hopes for Kenya's talented athletes.
Among the qualified teams, Kenya's women's football team had secured their place in the World Beach Games without even kicking a ball.
Their opponents, Cape Verde, unexpectedly withdrew from the Africa Beach Games held in Hammamet, Tunisia, just hours before their scheduled match, granting Kenya an uncontested path to qualification.
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Wrestlers Mathayo Mahabila and Mark Omumasaba had also guaranteed their spots in Bali after achieving commendable performances in Hammamet.
The women's handball team, eager to make their debut, finished in second place behind hosts Tunisia and were determined to showcase their skills on the international stage.
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