Gao Jingtao (2nd Right), a member of the executive bureau of the organizing committee of the Asian Beach Games and vice-mayor of the host city of Haiyang, and Jiang Xuening (2nd Left), chief of Haiyang city`s publicity department, attend the press conference held for the one-year countdown of the sports event in June 15 in Haiyang of East China`s Shandong province [Photo by Rong Xiandong/chinadaily.com.cn]
 

The third Asian Beach Games, one of the five major sports events in Asia along with the Asian Games, will launch one-year countdown in the host city of Haiyang in East China`s Shandong province on June 16, officials from the organizing committee of the event said on Wednesday.

Major projects for the biennial Games, including the International Convention Center, the International Television and Broadcasting Center, the International Security Safeguarding Command Center and the players service area, had been basically completed and would be operational by the end of this year, said Gao Jingtao, a member of the executive bureau of the organizing committee and vice-mayor of Haiyang, in a press conference held for the one-year countdown in Haiyang on June 15.

Gao added that four events such as cliff climbing, powered parachuting, highway skating and beach soccer will begin competition on a trial basis to test the venues in June and July.

The third Asian Beach Games, another continental sports gala hosted by China after the 2008 Beijing Olympics Games and the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, will have 45 events from 12 sports. Gao also said so far 38 countries and regions had confirmed their participation in the Games.

By Rong Xiandong (chinadaily.com.cn)