Bali eyeing bigger share of sports tourism
With the Djarum Superliga 2015 badminton tournament entertaining crowds in Bali, the holiday island known more for sun, sea and sand than sport is hoping to attract more major sporting events.
Although by far Indonesia’s undisputed champion of tourism, it has struggled for years to attract major sports event aside from surfing.
"We usually only host local tournaments. Now, by hosting the Superliga, we are taking a step further. It’s an international tournament we’ve been longing for here," said I Dewa Agung Gede Lidartawan, a senior official of the Indonesia Badminton Association.
"We will surely not waste such rare a opportunity. We will bring our talented young shuttlers to watch these top players display their skills. We are proud to host the tournament. I hope there will be more of these events in the future."
Indonesia’s sports development is focused heavily in neighbouring Java and especially the capital Jakarta.
Lidartawan wants badminton’s national governing body PBSI to move next year’s tournament to October so that it will coincide with Bali Sports Week.
"The local government is focusing on promoting Bali as one of the country’s sports tourism destinations, so if the move can be organised, the event would be huge," Lidartawan said.
Bali Sports Week is an annual showcase of local sporting talent and is designed to encourage locals to take up new sports.
Last year’s event featured a variety of sports including golf, beach soccer, futsal, petanque, extreme sports, surfing, and motor cross.
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