More than 6,000 athletes representing 45 countries are set to take part in the Games, scheduled to take place between November 14 and 23, which is not in danger of being moved despite the military having taken power in Thailand last month and several sports events having already been cancelled or relocated.  

A total of 168 events are due to be held in 26 beach or sea sports. 

The Chefs de Missions were welcomed to the Holiday Inn Resort Phuket by Maitri Inthusut, the Governor of Phuket Province, who promised world-class sports facilities and the highest levels of professional service.

Kanokphand Chulakasem, secretary general of Phuket 2015, claimed the Asian Beach Games had become a multi-sports model for other continents to follow and described the city located in the South East of Phuket Island as the "perfect location" for such a celebration of sport and culture.

Chefs de Mission from 45 countries took part in the seminar for the 4th Asian Beach Games, which is due to take place in Phuket in November ©OCA

But Olympic Council of Asia's (OCA) life vice-president Wei Jizhong admitted the Games presented a big challenge for the Organising Committee, OCA and for Phuket because 26 sports will take place in the peak tourist season of November. 

With several new sports, including beach modern pentathlon, on the programme and athletes accommodated in hotels around the island, Wei urged the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) to send a strong administrative team to advise and assist the athletes regarding protocol and procedures.

It is expected a number of International Olympic Committee (IOC) members and International Federations will attend the event with the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) planning to host a World Beach Games in the near future.

There will be six venue clusters, including the popular tourist hot-spots of Patong Beach, which will host nine sport, and Karon Beach, ten sports. 

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