ANOC held a three-day Chefs de Mission Seminar prior to Bali 2023 ©ANOC

Preparations for this year's Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) World Beach Games in Bail have been discussed Chef de Mission seminar which, it is claimed, saw three days of "productive meetings and venue tours" on the Indonesian province.

Representatives from nearly 70 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) attended in person with more than 30 taking part remotely to learn about preparations for the event due to take place between August 5 and 12.

"We have enjoyed very productive meetings here in Bali," said ANOC secretary general Gunilla Lindberg.

"There is a growing sense of excitement among the NOCs.

"Of course, with three months to go there is still work to be done and we will continue to work closely with the LOC (Local Organising Committee) to put on the best Games for the athletes.

"The Games is about the beach, sand, joy and sun but it is also an elite competition and athletes need the best conditions to compete.

"In Bali we are confident we have the partners to deliver that and to deliver it with the famous Balinese smile."

The announcement of the mascots for the 2023 ANOC World Beach Games in Bali was among the highlights of the Chef de Missions seminar ©Twitter
The announcement of the mascots for the 2023 ANOC World Beach Games in Bali was among the highlights of the Chef de Missions seminar ©Twitter 

The seminar officially began last Saturday (April 29) with the morning session featuring sessions on sport and venues, accreditation and sport entries, the Athletes' Village and accommodation.

The end of the plenary session saw the unveiling of the Games' blackfin shark mascots Bli Saksma and Gej Saksma.

The second day began with a tour of the Jimbaran Cluster and Kuta before presentations on Games services.

The seminars concluded with Chefs de Mission being given the latest details of the AONC Digital Accelerator Programme, including the Bali 2023 social media attaché programme.

The scheme allows all qualified NOCs to accredit one social media attaché in their official delegation to support on-site coverage at the Games, the second to take place following a successful debut in Qatar in 2019. 

ANOC secretary general Gunilla Lindberg claims the event saw
ANOC secretary general Gunilla Lindberg claims the event saw "very productive meetings" take place ©Getty Images

"These were amazing days," said Spanish Chef de Mission Cayetano Cornet.

"The venues will look great and the accommodation provided is outstanding.

"The LOC, with support from ANOC, is doing a great job.

"We hope to have a big team and will come with our best athletes to try to get the best possible result.

"The LOC and ANOC have managed to find excellent ways to make these Games more sustainable such as the reduced ground transportation and plastic use.

"I understand it is not easy to implement since it is a difficult change in mindset.

"But we are on our way."