Sports Minister: 'Communication Is Key' for Israel's World Beach Games Participation

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The freshly-inaugurated Youth and Sports Minister Dito Ariotedjo expressed concerns about the upcoming World Beach Games Bali 2023 and said he will put forth communication with stakeholders to prevent this tournament from ending up becoming another “U-20 World Cup situation.” The football game was canceled from being hosted in Indonesia amid protests against the involvement of Israeli athletes. 

This was expressed by Dito on April 4th at his Ministry’s headquarters. “I will put forth communication and discussion with every stakeholder,” said the youngest state minister in President Jokowi’s Cabinet. 

The ANOC World Beach Games 2023 slated to be held in August will be participated by athletes from Israel who will compete in the basketball and swimming games. 

The Israeli men's basketball 3x3 team passed the qualifying round along with 16 other teams consisting of Mongolia, Japan, China, the United States, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Egypt, Tunisia, Kenya, Uganda, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Lithuania, and Indonesia.

Israeli women swimmers are also entitled to join the 2023 World Beach Games Bali after passing the qualification round of the FINA World Aquatics Championships in Budapest in 2022.

Acknowledging this situation, Minister Dito agrees with President Jokowi who asserted that politics cannot interfere with sports. However, the country still stands by the position of supporting Palestine’s independence and adhering to the constitution.

"Reflecting on the experience of the U-20 World Cup, I as the Youth and Sports Minister will prioritize communication and collaboration, and I will connect all stakeholders so that there is a meeting point for these differences," he said. “I think everything can go on with diplomacy and coordination.”

The World Beach Games is the largest water sports event in the world with more than 1,500 athletes participating. There are a total of 14 events consisting of water polo, 3x3 basketball, aquathlon, water badminton, beach handball, beach volleyball, beach tennis, beach soccer, open swimming, beach wrestling, karate, sprint rowing, surfing, and windsurfing. 

RANDY FAUZI FEBRIANSYAH

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