BALI, Oct 19 (KUNA) -- Kuwait on Sunday defeated Indonesia in the handball game 2-0 in the Group B within the framework of the first Asian Beach Games.
The Kuwaiti volleyball team also achieved their first win over Myanmar 2-0, making up for their loss in the same result versus South Korea earlier on Saturday.
But, the Kuwaiti beach football team lost 0-4 in their debut in the event against South Korea in the Group C, which also includes Vietnam and Brunei.
However, if they overcome Vietnam and Brunei, which are not so strong as the South Korean team, they will be able to smoothly advance to the next round.
Kuwait's water polo team also incurred an honorable defeat by titleholder Afghanistan 7-11 in a historic game.
By defeating Indonesia, the Kuwaiti handball team will seek hard to win gold or silver, the team chief Hassan Taher told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) following the beach handball match.
The players are determined to notch up a great achievement in this great Asian sports event, he said.
Meanwhile, Rita Subowo, the chairperson of the organizing committee of the Asian Beach Games, lauded the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) for its role in the development and promotion of the sports movement in Asia.
Speaking to KUNA, she voiced the Indonesia people's appreciation for great support by the OCA, led by Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahad al-Sabah, for Asian sports events.
Technical, organizational and administrative assistance, presented by the OCA to the organizing committee, have greatly contributed to the fulfillment of necessary tasks at record times, she said.
In the meantime, the OCA chairman honored several gold, silver and bronze winners in the event.
Speaking to KUNA following the party, Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahad said the games aimed to develop sports in the Asian continent.
The presence of this large number of players and sports officials representing all continental countries will surely promote and beef up aspects of friendship and cooperation among Asian athletes, he said.
He added that he was keen to give all countries in Asia the opportunity to host major sports events according to their potential and capabilities given the fact that some countries can't play host to the Asian Olympic Games owing to relevant high technical criteria and huge costs.
Copyright Kuwait News Agency 2008.
