Haiyang, China: Around 1,000 staff from the organising committee of the 3rd Asian Beach Games gathered for an oath-taking ceremony on Thursday to mark the 30-day countdown to the opening ceremony on June 16. The venue for the 9.0am ceremony was the plaza in front of the International Conference Centre, and glorious sunny weather – together with a cooling breeze off the Yellow Sea – greeted the participants representing all departments of organising committee HABGOC.

The Mayor of Haiyang Municipal Government, Mr. Jiang Shili, conducted the ceremony, and the oath was read by the Deputy Mayor of Haiyang, Gao Jingtao. Raising their right arm with fist clenched, the staff repeated the slogans, pledging to give their all to the success of the 3rd ABG in this final countdown after five years of preparations.

Mr Wang Yubo, Secretary of Haiyang Municipal Party Committee, outlined the priorities for the coming 30 days, stressing strong morale, team work and dedication. The 3rd Asian Beach Games will run from June 16-22 and feature 49 events in 13 sports. The majority of sports will take place at one of four competition zones on Feng Cheng Beach, in the heart of the burgeoning tourist resort on the coast of Shandong province.