Indonesia pulls out of hosting Beach Games, 3 months after losing U20 World Cup over Israel issue

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Indonesia has pulled out of hosting another global sports event at short notice, three months after refusing to welcome Israel’s team for soccer’s Under-20 World Cup. The World Beach Games had been set to be staged in Bali in August but were canceled after the Indonesian government pulled the budget. The global group of national Olympic bodies known as ANOC said it had no option but to cancel the event because it was unable to find a replacement host with so little time. The Beach Games features 14 sports including beach versions of soccer, tennis and volleyball, plus surfing and open water swimming. About 100 countries had been set to take part, including Israel.