Security increased for Bali v'ball tour

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Organizers of the International Beach Volleyball World Tour in Bali in two weeks intend to adopt tighter security precautions in the wake of the Marriott bombing.

The five-day tournament will run from Aug. 20 to 24 at Petitenget Beach in Seminyak, Bali.

"We planned to use 100 security guards, but the number will become 150," Cahya Aziz, the tournament director, said as quoted by Antara in Jakarta on Wednesday.

A car bomb ripped through the JW Marriott Hotel in the heart of Jakarta on Tuesday, leaving up to 16 dead and more than 150 injured.

The incident was a bitter reminder of the blasts that destroyed the Sari Club and Paddy's Cafe, causing the deaths of 202 people on October 12 last year.

Cahya said the security policy was aimed at guaranteeing security for the participants, mostly made up of world's top volleyball players.

Indonesian Volleyball Association development coordinator Cahya said the tournament, which would provide qualifying points for the 2004 Olympics, would proceed despite the Jakarta bombing.

"It's certainly given us a jolt. But we hope (the tournament) carries on. And I believe it will," he said, adding that he expected there to be no withdrawals.

The Bali World Tour, which will offer US$150,000 in cash prizes, is one of the 12 events on the calendar of the Federation of International Volleyball.

More than 60 teams from 30 countries have announced they will participate in the tournament. However, the organizers said the teams from the United States were still unsure about their involvement after advice from their government.

Indonesia will field two pairs: Siti Nurjanah/Ni Putu Timy Yudhani and Niniek Nuraidah/Minarni.

Both teams will be competing on wildcard facilities with Siti/Timy going straight to the main draw and Niniek/Minarni having to fight through the qualifying stage.