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Sanya to Host Asian Beach Games Torch Relay on March 30 Ahead of 2026 Event

The organizing committee for the 6th Asian Beach Games 2026 has announced the torch relay will be held in Sanya on March 30. The Games themselves are scheduled to run from April 22 to 30, featuring 1,790 athletes competing in 14 sports and 62 events. National Olympic committees from 45 countries and regions have registered, with Thailand, China, and the Philippines fielding the largest delegations. Operational preparations are complete, with organizers promising a high-quality competition environment for the upcoming event.

Key Points: Asian Beach Games 2026 Torch Relay Set for March 30 in Sanya

  • Torch relay set for March 30
  • 1,790 athletes from 45 countries
  • Games run from April 22-30
  • Features 14 sports, 62 events
  • Top teams: Thailand, China, Philippines
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Sanya to stage Asian Beach Games torch relay on March 30

The 6th Asian Beach Games torch relay in Sanya is scheduled for March 30, with 1,790 athletes set to compete across 14 sports from April 22-30.

"The torch relay will showcase the unique appeal of beach sports through elements such as sunshine, coastline, and sandy beaches. - Wang Guoping"

Sanya, March 23

The organisers of the 6th Asian Beach Games 2026 announced on Monday that the torch relay for the upcoming games in Sanya will be held on March 30. Around 1,790 athletes will be taking part in 14 sports, 15 disciplines, and 62 events that will be featured in the Games.

Wang Guoping, deputy director of the organising committee, said the torch relay will highlight the city's coastal scenery and vibrant sports culture.

"The torch relay will showcase the unique appeal of beach sports through elements such as sunshine, coastline, and sandy beaches," Wang said. "It will present Sanya as a tropical seaside city with a growing sports culture, while also highlighting its role in the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port."

The opening ceremony, themed around vitality, openness, and joy, will be held on April 22 at Sanya Asian Beach Games Park, reports Xinhua.

The Games will run from April 22 to 30, with a total of 1,790 athletes confirmed to take part.

According to the organisers, national and regional Olympic committees from 45 countries and regions have signed up for the event. Following qualification reviews, the number of registered athletes stood at 1,790 as of March 20.

The Games will feature 14 sports, 15 disciplines, and 62 events. The women's beach football event has been cancelled due to an insufficient number of teams, while all other events will go ahead as planned.

The top five sports by number of participants are beach handball, dragon boat, beach athletics, ju-jitsu, and beach volleyball. Beach handball has attracted the largest number of athletes, with 237.

In terms of delegation size, the top five participating teams are Thailand, China, the Philippines, India, and Hong Kong-China.

Li Haigang, deputy secretary-general of the organising committee, said the overall competition schedule and event timetables have been optimised and will be released soon. "The detailed timing of events will be clarified to help media and spectators better plan their viewing schedules," he added.

Meanwhile, operational teams at all competition venues have completed multiple rounds of training, tabletop exercises, and test events. "In 30 days, athletes, coaches, and officials from across Asia will gather in Sanya to compete amid its blue seas and sandy beaches," Li said. "We will spare no effort in our preparations to provide a high-quality competition environment and deliver splendid Games."

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
It's a bit disappointing that women's beach football got cancelled. We need to encourage more participation in women's sports across Asia. Otherwise, the event sounds fantastic! Wishing all athletes the very best.
V
Vikram M
Sanya is a stunning location for beach games. Hope the organisers can manage the logistics well with so many athletes. The torch relay along the coast will be a visual treat. Jai Hind!
R
Rohit P
Beach sports are gaining popularity in India too, especially in Goa and Kerala. Good exposure for our athletes. Let's cheer for Team India! 🏐
S
Sarah B
As someone who follows multi-sport events, I appreciate that they're optimizing the schedule for media and spectators. Clarity helps in promoting the games better. Hope the streaming is available internationally.
K
Karthik V
Interesting to see dragon boat as a top sport! It shows the diversity of beach games beyond just volleyball and handball. Asia's sporting culture is so rich. All the best to everyone participating.

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