Tight security at Bali tourney

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.