Tight security at Bali tourney

I Wayan Juniartha, The Jakarta Post, Kuta, Bali

The organizing committee of the upcoming 2003 Swatch FIVB World Tour Bali Open beach volleyball tournament, which starts on Friday, plans very tight security measures by deploying at least 120 police officers and 50 traditional guards of Pecalang.

The measures have been taken in the wake of the Marriott bombing in Jakarta, which prompted the withdrawal of 39 teams from 16 countries.

The US$150,000 Bali Open, which is the ninth of 12 tournaments on the 2003 Swatch FIVB World Tour, will run until Sunday at Petitenget beach.

"We want the competition to proceed safely and smoothly. We'd like to apologize for any inconveniences that might result from the extra security measures," tournament director Cahya Aziz said here on Tuesday.

Roberto Reggiani, an official from the Federation of International Volleyball (FIVB) in charge of supervisory affairs, said he trusted the local organizers in the handling of the tournament.

"We have drawn up various security requirements which the local committee must fulfill to ensure the safety of all the people in the tournament. I believe that the committee has made great efforts to meet those requirements and I am very satisfied with that," Reggiani said.

The security requirements at the Bali Open will include special protection in and around the tournament's venues at Petitenget beach in Kerobokan and its parking facilities, the body searches for all spectators, guards at the players' hotels and on the transport buses.

Cahya said the mass cancellation of the participants had left the tournament with just 26 teams from 16 countries. The number has prompted host Indonesia to field six pairs, four more than previously planned.

The inclusion of the extra pairs from Indonesia is to make a complete 32-strong list. The participants will be divided into eight pools.