ANOC celebrates 2-year anniversary of ANOC World Beach Games Qatar 2019; IFs express excitement for 2023

Two years ago today the first ever ANOC World Beach Games Qatar 2019 got underway in Doha. Over the five days that followed, some of the world’s best athletes delivered a unique global celebration of beach, water and action sports.

The Games – which offered all 206 National Olympic Committees the opportunity to qualify – provided NOCs with an unrivalled opportunity to connect with new athletes and a new generation of sports fans. Nearly 1,300 athletes from 97 NOCs competed across 13 sports (14 disciplines) with 40 different NOCs winning medals.

Two years on, the world has changed significantly and the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a delay to the second edition of the Games. However, the excitement and anticipation for the beach and sports festival remains strong.

International Federations (IFs) whose sports have been confirmed for the core programme of the 2023 and 2025 editions of the Games have expressed their delight at being a part of the young, inclusive and sustainable event.

“We will be delighted to be a part of the upcoming edition, in 2023, where we plan to offer an even stronger version of our beloved sport, with an increase in the number of participating teams and the number of matches, said President of Beach Soccer Worldwide Joan Cusco. “And also thinking one another more step for the 2025 edition, too. We are really looking forward to be a part of such an amazing global sports event as the World Beach Games, and feel really honored that ANOC consider beach soccer as a relevant player within them.”

“The entire FINA Family is excited to be part of the sports program for the 2023 and 2025 editions of the ANOC World Beach Games said FINA President Husain Al-Musallam. “Beach water polo and open water (5km) are young and dynamic sports, filled with excitement and energy, that perfectly match with today’s generation of sports fans.  FINA looks forward to watching these top young athletes compete on the beach.”

FIVB President Dr. Ary S. Graça F° added: “The global Volleyball Family is very much looking forward to the next edition of the World Beach Games, and we will continue to work closely with ANOC and the event organiser to ensure an incredible beach volleyball 4X4 tournament.”

Reflecting on the decision, IHF President Dr Hassan Moustafa said: “On behalf of the global handball family, I would like to thank ANOC for the trust put in beach handball. I am proud to see our sport among the core sports of the ANOC World Beach Games until 2025 – not only will this continue to bring fans entertaining and excitement handball action, it will also help the IHF’s efforts to grow and develop beach handball around the world.”

ITF President David Haggerty shared a similar sentiment: “The ITF is delighted that Beach Tennis has once again been selected as one of the core sports on the programme for the forthcoming 2023 and 2025 editions of the ANOC World Beach Games. The inaugural 2019 AWBG in Doha showcased a new and vibrant multi-sports games format and the ITF is excited and proud to partner with ANOC and the future host cities in providing a truly global platform for our athletes.”

“We are delighted to sign a MoU with ANOC and solidify Beach Wrestling for the World Beach Games in 2023 and 2025. ANOC organized a world-class Games in Qatar and I am very pleased we will continue to grow Beach Wrestling and the World Beach Games together,” said UWW President Nenad Lalovic.

“The Karate Family is absolutely thrilled to be added to the permanent programme of the ANOC World Beach Games. Our sport was part of the inaugural edition of the ANOC World Beach Games in Qatar and we had the opportunity to showcase the sporting spirit, magnificence and many values of our discipline,” said WKF President Antonio Espinós. “Now, we hope we will continue bringing an added value to the ANOC World Beach Games as a permanent sport thus contributing to the success of this outstanding multi-sport event.”

For World Triathlon President Marisol Casado, the Games provides an important development opportunity for her sport: “The first-ever edition in Doha was a great success and we showed the world the possibilities and beauty of Aquathlon, and is great to have that chance again in 2023 and 2025. To be able to have Aquathlon included in the core programme will indeed mean an incredible boost for one of our most recent disciplines, and it will mean a great increase in the number of athletes regularly competing in our events and enjoying the possibility of participating in great multisport events as those Games will be.”,

While for World Sailing, the Games is another global showcase for the sport according to Alastair Fox Director of Events. “The profile of Kiteboarding has continued to rise since being included at the first ANOC World Beach Games Qatar 2019. World Sailing has confirmed Men’s and Women’s Kiteboarding events will be part of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and to be named as one of the nine sports on the core programme for the ANOC World Beach Games in 2023 and 2025 is an incredible opportunity to showcase the sport to audiences around the world.”

To relive some of the best moments from the inaugural edition of the ANOC World Beach Games please find below.